SNOW HILL– County leaders this week told education officials they were still waiting for more details regarding the school system’s $131 million budget.
Commissioner Chip Bertino, president of the board, said during a Worcester County Public Schools budget presentation on Tuesday that officials wanted more details regarding education spending as the county faces an $11 million deficit.
“There’s only so much money that we have available,” Bertino said. “It’d be helpful to get a better perspective on where every dollar is going.”
Superintendent Lou Taylor and Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert presented the school system’s proposed budget to the commissioners Tuesday. The roughly $131 million budget is funded primarily by the commissioners, with about 80% coming from the county and not quite 20% coming from the state. The school system’s proposed budget is about $4.1 million higher than that of the current fiscal year. The bulk of that increase is tied to raises—teachers are expected to get a step increase as well as a 4% cost-of-living adjustment. Support staff are projected to get a 4.5% cost-of-living adjustment and bus contractors will be paid more as well.
“Research shows the number one factor in student success is the classroom teacher, which is why our budget continues to focus on ensuring we can recruit, hire and retain topnotch faculty and staff,” Taylor said. “The best, really the only way we can do this is by offering a competitive salary and benefits package.”
Why do taxpayers need to pay for the Superintendent to ride around in a brand new Tahoe??
How many of the taxpayers in Worcester are getting a 4% COLA increase AND a step increase? And also work for a failed system with crappy outcomes… SMH