This
evening the Guilford County Board of Commissioners will open the
floor to hear from you on their proposed budget developed by the
County Manager. That budget does not include additional funding for
our schools, despite a request for a $13.6 million increase in local
funding from the school board.
That's
a big mistake. Our commissioners have held local funding for schools
steady over the last several years while many county's cut their
local support. That's applaudable and shows the kind of level-headed
leadership needed during difficult times. But, like in any race,
there comes a time to put all those miles of conservation to use by
breaking into a sprint. And make no mistake, Guilford County is in a
race and it can't be won without developing the best educated
workforce possible.
The
vast majority of the school district’s annual budget comes from
state tax dollars, about 62 percent. That number has crept down while
local funding has crept up to compensate. Local funding now makes up
about 30 percent of the school district's total budget. Essentially,
Raleigh politics have deflected more of the taxing burden onto local
officials rather than accept their constitutional responsibility to
fund public education, hacking away at our classrooms.
Things
look set to be even bleaker next year and going forward. The state
senate's proposed budget would eliminate 4,000 teacher assistants,
make permanent a $376 million discretionary cut that also eliminated
jobs, increase class sizes in K-3 which will also cut jobs and
eliminates the higher pay scale for teachers who earn a master's
degree.
The
General Assembly has turned its back on education and that's
inexcusable. But just because our state leadership makes terrible
decisions or because other counties decide not to invest in their
children's future doesn't mean we in Guilford County have to.
So
come out to the commissioners' meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m., 301 West
Market Street, Greensboro and tell our leaders IT'S TIME! Time to
invest in education! Time to build our future! Time to win the race!
Here's Superintendent Mo
Green's quick breakdown of what the school board is requesting from
County Commissioners. And here's a link to the school
district’s budget webpage.
1.
Covering increases to sustain operations. The
requested increase for the 2013-14 school year is $5.9 million.
During the last three years, the district has requested increases to
sustain operations; however, the district has not received any such
increases. As a result, the district has had to absorb increases in
costs in various areas, including student enrollment (district and
charter), health insurance, retirement, utilities, insurance and
hundreds of thousands of square feet of classroom and school space.
We have requested $13.9 million; we have experienced $19.1 million in
increases. It is time for the district to receive funding to cover
increases required to sustain operations this year.
2.
Providing salary increases and supporting other
compensation initiatives. The
requested increase in salaries is 3 percent for all employees, except
me. The amount requested, $3.4 million, would allow the district to
match a 3% increase in salaries, if provided by the state. The
recommendation also includes approximately $900,000 in funding for
the district’s largest employee recruitment, retention and
performance incentive plan, Mission Possible. This request replaces
funding that is scheduled to end during the 2013-14 school year. The
recommendation also includes $180,000 in recruitment and retention
funding for hard-to-fill medical and health care educator positions.
3.
Restoring Great Recession cuts. During
the last five years, GCS made substantial cuts to central
administration and school based positions, supplies, materials and
professional development. Among other cuts, the system has increased
the class size student-teacher ratio by one student in grades K-12
and has cut $3.6 million in funding available for schools through its
WSF funding. I am recommending that at least .5 students of that
class size increase be undone this year, which equates to $3.2
million, and will provide schools with approximately 63 additional
teacher positions.
