PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — The Prince William County School Board approved an $861 million operating budget Wednesday night, directing the Superintendent to find $5 million in new spending cuts to cover the cost of providing a step increase to employees on the current pay scale.
Budget approval came a week later than originally expected, as Board Members debated how best to afford enhanced pay increases. The new plan builds on the foundation of the spending reductions originally proposed to pay for an across-the-board raise in the budget plan rejected during last week’s Board mark-up session.
By a 5-3 margin, Board Members voted this time to provide the widely sought step increase based on a 7.5 hour instructional day. The step will provide an average 2.85 percent pay hike, but actual amounts will vary according to each employee’s position on the current pay scale. In addition, all employees will receive an added one percent increase to offset the cost of a new state mandate that will require each PWCS employee to make a one percent contribution to the Virginia Retirement System over the upcoming school year.
Board members also approved an amendment directing the Superintendent to use any additional funds that could be received toward reducing class sizes and/or adjusting the budget-diminished Capital Improvements Program, according to future Board directions.
The immediate challenge for the School Division will be finding $5 million in cuts beyond those already included to fund pay increases in the Superintendent’s previous proposal. Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven L. Walts conceded that it will not be easy to find those additional cuts but noted, “We will make every effort not to lay off any employee.”
Though passed, the Budget is not yet final. It immediately goes to the Board of County Supervisors for their approval. Additionally, the county has yet to finalize the tax rate on which the budget revenues are based; the tax rate advertised last month can still decrease, but not increase, meaning PWCS could face further shortfalls. The state budget picture is uncertain as well. Clarifying legislative action could come as early as Friday, but might still require adjustments to the spending plan.
-Press release
