EDUCATIONAL UPDATE

Contributed article
Published: June 5, 2008

During a joint meeting of the Greene County School Board and the Greene County Board of Supervisors, Darcy Higgins, School Board Chairman, presented the following 2008-09 School Board Budget “highlights.”
2008-09 School Board Budget Highlights:
• Teachers will receive a base raise of 3 percent plus significant adjustments to make the scale more linear and more competitive overall (see handout).
• All Teacher Assistants will receive an 8% raise.
• Secretary Assistants at step 20 and above will receive an 8 percent raise.
• All other support staff will receive a 4.25 percent raise (maintenance, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries/secretary assistants below step 20).
• A competitive scale was established for LPN staff and a licensed medical professional (LPN, RN or Nurse Practitioner) will be stationed in each building. The Health Cottage will be repurposed for storage or other use.
• Administrator raises will be 3 percent.
• Health insurance has been budgeted for a 14 percent increase - actual rate is not yet available.
• The mileage reimbursement rate will increase from $.32 to $.48 per mile to be more consistent with the County and the rates of surrounding school divisions.
• Several adjustments were made to the Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) to offset the increase in health insurance costs since the program was started.
•Funds were appropriated to move forward with surveillance systems for the middle and high school. Additional progress with safety and security equipment may be possible next year if efforts to secure grant funding are successful.
• No reductions were made to materials and supply funds and additional funds were appropriated for adoption of new math curriculum and supporting materials.
• An additional Instructional Technology Resource Teacher position was approved to be in compliance with SOQ requirements and better support integration of technology in the classrooms; we are also funding an additional teacher for English and Drama at the high school.
• A Central Office position was eliminated and elementary staff was reduced at RES to match a decline in enrollment there.
The County is purchasing four new buses with digital surveillance equipment for the bus fleet and four cars from the Sheriff’s fleet will be turned over to the school fleet.
We greatly appreciate the cooperative spirit you have fostered in our work together this year. Please feel free to contact any of our School Board members regarding questions about the FY 2008-09 budget. The School Board remains committed to clarity and transparency in our communication with the Board of Supervisors .