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Board OKs school proposal
There was lengthy discussion about Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Lewis' proposed budget, but his original version was approved 4-1 by the school board on Monday, Sally Murray, Center District, voting against. The vote was not without controversy.
Lewis’ proposed budget allowed for the $1,500 remaining from a four-year-old agreement with the board of supervisors to be added to all teachers' salaries .
Some weeks ago, Murray had suggested an additional pay raise for teachers and expressed her displeasure Monday night that it was not part of the proposed budget. She offered another solution.
School officials have learned that with interest rates changing under the Virginia Retirement System, the Fauquier school system is being credited with an unexpected refund of $487,980. Murray suggested that this one-time “windfall would go a long way” with raises, and at the same time enable the board to leave the proposed budget as is.
Sheryl Wolfe, Lee District, disagreed with the use of one-time funds for a recurring cost, as it would also be a commitment for the increase the next year.
To confuse the situation, although the school district has received the extra revenue, there may be further cuts in the budget due to legislative actions.
Andy Hawkins, FCPS budget and operations manager said that the school system’s budget was based on the governor’s budget presented in December. But a House’ of Delegates proposal could result in a decrease of $208,412 to Fauquier schools, while a Senate proposal could mean that Fauquier schools would lose $519,233.
Hawkins predicted that there will be a compromise, but that the decrease in state funds remains unknown at this time.
“Our teachers are our greatest asset,” board Chairman Duke Bland said, “but we have to understand the situation we are all in.
“My thing is to do the right thing for everybody — the taxpayers, the teachers, our schools. I just cannot look at a single component, even though I fully understand how important that single component is. We have to look at everything as a whole.”
Lewis said that there will be another year or two of difficult budgetary times, but he believed that the school system will be able to improve teachers’ salaries in the next budget cycle.
E-mail the reporter: afelts@timespapers.com.
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