Proposed FCPS budget would raise teacher pay, increase school security
Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle presented a proposed budget to the school board that would raise employee compensation and boost school security.
FCPS is requesting a $3.5 billion operating budget for FY 2024. That’s a $249.6 million (7.6 percent) increase from the approved budget for 2023.
Reid is requesting an increase of $159.6 million (7 percent) in transfer funds from Fairfax County.
The proposed budget calls for $65.2 million to accommodate enrollment growth and increasing numbers of students eligible for free school meals, English language instruction, and special education services. FCPS projects an increase of 2,383 students for a total enrollment of 179,952.
The budget would provide a 3 percent market scale adjustment and a 2.2 percent step increase for eligible employees.
To retain staff, the budget would provide $19.9 million in 1 percent bonuses for employees hired during FY 2023 and remain with FCPS in FY 2024.
Other highlights in the proposed budget:
- $600,000 for a new cross country and track program at middle schools.
- $15 million for the Equitable Access Literacy Plan, which supports the science of reading through evidenced-based language arts basal resources.
- $6 million to help close the achievement gap for all students.
- $3.2 million for recommendations by the Joint Environmental Task Force to support electric buses, Safe Routes to School, and Get2Green.
- $2 million for the special education compensatory fund to address learning loss caused by the Covid pandemic and ensure students with the greatest need receive prioritized support.
- $2 million to implement a proactive framework-based approach to cybersecurity.
- $3.5 million to accommodate 10 additional prekindergarten classrooms serving 180 students.
- $1 million for annual employee background checks, license fees, and badge replacement.
- $400,000 for safety and school security officers at elementary schools.
- $1.3 million in teacher leadership stipends for elementary school teachers.
The school board is scheduled to approve the FY 2024 advertised budget on Feb. 23.
What a waste of my property taxes.
Agree. 3.2 million for recommendations for electric busses? That surely can’t be right
EV’s cost more than regular vehicles, as the batteries use considerable amounts of resources and have a significant higher cost. Even Ford employees can’t afford an EV they make. Which defeats a Henry Ford maxim that makers (employees) of his cars should be able to buy one.
Some of the key resources are rare earth minerals that are most often mined in China for the world; as they have lax environmental rules that allow polluting means of extraction and refinement. More protection equals even higher cost. The one USA rare earth mine closed due to environmental protection costs. Only recently due to high demand and the possibility of high enough prices have efforts begun to reopen it. This type of environmentalism is a pure luxury.
Also, battery dependent vehicles have less power available in extreme temps (hot / cold), so reliability of them should be less. Recall the diesel buses had problems with extreme cold too – but that was minimal compared to what will happen in such cold with battery dependent vehicles.
I’m all for a cleaner environment but hybrid vehicles are better than EVs.
I actually don’t have any issues with any of the spending allocations and I tend to be hawkish.