The Clarke County Board of Education meets tonight, and they’ll get a look at a proposed budget for the next fiscal year.
District officials are bullish on the amount of revenue available to the district for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. State funding will come in about $5.3 million dollars higher than this year, and rising property values seem likely to bring in more money without an increase in the millage rate.
Staffing needs seem to be one priority area when it comes to spending in the budget proposal. Under the current plan, the district’s lowest paid workers would see significant pay increases. For example, according to the presentation board members will see tonight, a custodian currently making $10.65 an hour would see a 35 percent pay boost to $14.41 per hour. A paraprofessional making $12.30 per hour would get a 21 percent raise to $14.84 an hour.
The budget proposal also makes room for the district to hire additional nurses, social workers, and psychologists.
Board members will get a look at the proposal tonight, and after making any adjustments, will vote on the tentative budget next month. After that vote, the district will hold two meetings for public comment on the budget, before a final vote in June.
Also on Thursday’s agenda is a proposed disparity study that would examine in detail the district’s contracts and whether they are doing enough to contract with minority-owned businesses. An Atlanta-based law firm has been tapped to perform the study, and if the board votes to move ahead with the work, the results of the disparity study can be expected in about 12 months.
