SNOW HILL– The county’s education spending is set to increase by close to $4 million in the coming year’s budget.
In a budget work session with the Worcester County Commissioners Tuesday, Worcester County Board of Education officials reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2023 spending plan. With $1.8 million more in required maintenance of effort funding and $2.1 million in additional recurring expenses, the budget is 4.1% higher than last year.
“I want to assure you of my confidence that the FY 2023 budget is one that addresses the needs of all our students as they progress into their educational futures,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said.
The school system’s proposed FY 23 budget of $124 million includes $101,188,605—or 81.43%—from Worcester County and $22,287,191—or 17.93%—from the state. Vince Tolbert, the school system’s chief financial officer, said expenditure increases included $4 million for raises. That would provide a step, a 4% cost-of-living-adjustment for certificated staff and a 4.5% cost-of-living-adjustment for support staff.
“Our support staff are our lower paid employees and we always try to give an extra half percent for those employees when we can,” Tolbert said.
Looks like Lou and his staff need to school Wicomico County on the correct way to pass on salaries. Wicomico County Acting C.E. and his finance director spent thousands of dollars of taxpayers money for a salary survey which the finance director is keeping all the details to herself. All the County Council sees is a spread sheet with new and prior grades and recommended salary adjustments. Her and John Psota were tongue tied by the councils questions to one employee who they are recommending a 33k per year increase while some employees get no salary increase at all. All this is at bay to be pushed to vote before the primary election in June where Psota is anticipating a victory. Just more behind the scenes politics in Wicomico.