School board adopts FY22 advertised budget focusing on pandemic recovery
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| Staff at Weyanoke Elementary School in Mason District welcome students back to class. [FCPS] |
The Fairfax County School Board has unanimously adopted a $3.2 billion advertised budget for fiscal year 2022 that calls for a 3 percent increase in employee pay.
The proposed budget would increase funding by $75.5 million – 2.41 percent – over the budget approved for the current year.
During its Feb. 18 meeting, the school board approved several amendments, including the pay increase, which recognizes the sacrifices and commitment of teachers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget includes a request for an additional $104.4 million, or 4.9 percent, in Fairfax County funds transferred to Fairfax County Public Schools.
The budget would fund the continued expansion of preschool special education classes; address retirement rate increases and rising health care costs; expand and support the district’s response to meet student needs arising from the pandemic; and offset decreasing revenue from state, federal, and other sources.
To meet the prescribed changes to the Standards of Quality by the Virginia Board of Education, the budget includes $4.9 million and 50 positions for staffing adjustments at the elementary level for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.
In response to an update in the Code of Virginia that authorizes collective bargaining for public employees, the budget proposes $0.5 million and three positions for a collective bargaining team to support the new requirements and activities.
The budget includes $3.0 million for the third and final year of the three-year implementation plan to bring salaries of instructional assistants and public health training assistants to 50 percent of the salary scale for teachers with bachelor degrees.
“This is a responsible budget that takes into account the tough economic climate brought on by the pandemic, while also recognizing that a high-quality school system serves as the economic underpinning of a thriving community. It is a budget that will continue to build on FCPS’ tradition of excellence,” said School Board Chair Ricardy Anderson (Mason District).
“We recognize that the past year has been incredibly difficult for our community,” said Superintendent Scott Brabrand. “This budget is designed to bring hope to students, their families, and our staff by providing the resources each of them needs to help recognize and support all their extraordinary contributions during this pandemic.”
The School Board is scheduled to present the advertised budget to the Board of Supervisors on April 13. Additional budget work sessions and public hearings will occur through May. The FCPS FY22 budget begins July 1.
I haven't been this disgusted by an FCPS budget since FCPS put budget cuts on the back of Title 1 schools.
Most of us non-government workers have been riding this pandemic dealing with furloughs, pay freezes, or complete job loss. We watch our kids at home struggle with remote learning for almost a full calendar year – far longer than was needed due to ridiculous teacher union demands. Multiple times a week we deal with kids in tears because they don't understand. This has been my experience. I know it is also the experience of others.
I was 100% for raising teacher salaries in the multiple years we did so prior to the pandemic. But to request a nearly 5% county transfer increase based largely upon yet another salary increase NOW amongst such economic hardship in addition to granting collective bargaining rights to the teachers unions after the strike threats and unscientific demands over the past year? I mean, if the 5% increase was based on providing restorative education to catch up our students, then I could get behind that.
People have gotten the distinct impression over the past year that the school system and school board is beholden to special interests and seems to not listen to the voice of parents and residents. I have to say I 100% agree with that impression now. This is truly appalling.
Let's be 100% clear as well here… The article says that $500,000 is budgeted towards "three positions for a collective bargaining team to support the new requirements and activities." There is no REQUIREMENT for collective bargaining. It is something that is being opted into.
There is also nothing in the law that sunsets the ability of localities to recognize public sector unions.
To enter into collective bargaining right now – in the middle of the pandemic knowing full well how the unions have behaved this past year is reckless. This should be deferred until after the worst of the economic effects of the pandemic is over, potentially re-evaluating the decision on a yearly basis.
Check out the OPENFCPS FB group. Like minded advocacy group.
They have been saving on commuting, clothing and food costs for a year. As well as less days working, and their work has been fantastically below normal performance. A raise? Perhaps a cut is more appropriate. OR, break up the union and put their dues into their pay checks!