Proposed school budget contains increase in pay
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Cherokee County school employees would get a pay raise in the proposed $59 million budget the school board will discuss Monday.

A budget workshop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the school board meeting room in the district office. Cherokee County School Superintendent Dr. Bill James will provide school trustees with an update on the district's budget plans for the 2008-2009 school year.

All district employees, including administrators, will receive a 3.85 percent pay raise. This is slightly higher than a 3.31 teacher salary increase that cost the district $1.7 million in last year's budget.

The school district plans to increase its local teacher supplement from 8 percent to 12.1 percent so it is more in line with surrounding districts, James said. State and local teacher supplements will be increased at the same rate in the budget so district employees see a "true" 3.85 percent pay raise.

While teachers will get raises, James said the school district is unlikely to add new programs and increase spending in other areas of the budget.

School revenues are currently estimated at $60 million for next school year.

The proposed $59 million school budget would be a slight increase from the district's current $58.6 million budget.

The district has added 171 teachers since 1999 as part of an ongoing commitment to lower class sizes in elementary school grades. The district's enrollment has increased by 100 students over the same period.

The district could experience teacher attrition this fall by choosing not to fill some open positions, James said. No additional teachers will be added with the opening of the Gaffney and Blacksburg High ninth grade additions this fall.

"Our budget has probably grown more than it has to in recent years," James said. "We want to look at all the items in the budget and make sure we are spending the money in the most economical way to operate schools."

One budget priority is to increase the district's reserve fund so more money is available for emergencies, James said. The school district expects to end the current budget year with $4.9 million.

Ideally, James said the district would like to have 10 percent ($5.8 million) in reserve.

"Our goal is to increase the amount of money in our reserve," James said. "There are so many funding sources in our budget, such as lottery funds, where we have no control over when they come. We want to make sure we have the money in reserve so we can cover expenses."

The district plans to present a balanced budget to school trustees later this spring. The budget is expected to be approved in June, pending lawmaker approval of the state budget.