K. George Schools Give Raises: School Employees Will Get 4 Percent Raise, Board Should Approve Budget Next Week

By Corey Byers, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va.

May 8–All King George County school employees will see a bigger paycheck next year after the School Board approved 4 percent raises.

The board met last night for the first time since getting a $34.7 million spending package from the county.

This year’s county contribution to schools is $12.4 million. That is $3.7 million less than what the School Board asked for and it’s $1.5 million more than they are getting under the current year’s revised budget.

Discussing raises took up much of the board’s discussion. They toyed with the idea of passing a 5 percent raise just for teachers and lower raises for other employees.

Chairman Dennis Paulsen said he wanted to see the higher raise for teachers even “if it means we have to take from others and give to teachers.”

The board ultimately agreed to give across-the-board raises to maintain employee morale and further teacher retention and recruitment. In addition, the school system will make greater contributions toward covering family health-care costs for employees.

Board members decided to hold off on action to take away a $40-a-month stipend for employees who do not receive health care coverage through the schools. Cutting the stipend would free up $111,840.

Part of next year’s School Board plan calls for the rehiring of six staff members they laid off earlier this year when faced with a budget shortfall.

Members also discussed how part-time employees are compensated and what benefits they receive.

Paulsen said those working 20 or more hours a week are considered full time and can take advantage of health care and retiree benefits. The board agreed to review the definition of a part-time employee and make it a part of the school system’s personnel policy.

The School Board will meet Wednesday and could pass a budget at that time.

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