BRISTOL, Va. – At least part of a proposed step salary increase appears in play as city school leaders struggled Wednesday to bridge a $469,000 gap in the district’s fiscal 2010-11 budget.
The city School Board made no firm decisions during a 90-minute budget workshop, agreeing only to consider a series of staff recommendations and continue working on the $23.7 million spending plan.
The gap was created last week when the City Council reduced the division’s funding allocation. Possible fixes include eliminating a planned step salary increase that totals $182,000, eliminating two pre-school programs to save $66,000 (although federal Title 1 program funding could pick up one), leaving a secretarial position unfilled, and requiring new employees to pay 5 percent of their state retirement.
The plan also includes a proposed $100,000 carryover of unspent funds, expected savings from replacing retirees with less experienced teachers and cutting health insurance subsidies for employees, a savings of $48,000.
Board Chairwoman Virginia Goodson called the plan “very workable” but stopped short of endorsing the pay raise cut.
“I am not giving up on that [step increase]. We’re going to continue to work and see if we can find some money to at least get something for those teachers. They work too hard. We have to make a good-faith effort,” Goodson said after the meeting.
Step increases are limited salary hikes based on years of service. The proposed increase – which would be eliminated under the latest plan advanced Wednesday by Superintendent Ina Danko and Finance Director Tammy Jones – applies to teachers and administrators.
Board Vice Chairman Randy White said he was unsure if funding would be available to give any raises.
“If there is money, that [teachers] is certainly where it should go,” White said.
The city’s proposed general fund budget includes no pay increases for city employees.
The board probably has “no choice” and likely will require new hires to pay into their retirement, Goodson said. But she and others oppose cutting out the health insurance subsidies, since those costs are rising.
“I hate to see our employees go for a third year without a pay increase and then us take more money out of their pocket,” board member Eric Clark said.
Clark also suggested a number of options, including reducing the amount set aside to pay for a new administration building because, he noted, that move now is expected to take much longer than originally expected.
After some discussion, the board settled on cutting that item by $50,000.
Clark, who is leaving the board in June following elections earlier this month, also suggested following the City Council’s lead and cutting the salaries and travel expenses of School Board members by 25 percent. That would create a combined $10,000 savings.
The board is expected to finalize its spending plan at the June 7 meeting.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532
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