Pay increase for employees in approved PW School Board budget

Prince William County School Board will send the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) an approved $1.04 billion operating and debt service budget for 2015-16.

The approved budget maintains all existing PWCS school programs and services, requires no layoffs, and funds top School Board priorities of a one-step pay increase for employees, and the next modest phase-in to reduce class size, according to a PWCS news release.

The adopted budget is built around a balanced proposal offered a week earlier by Superintendent Steven Walts.

The school division’s budget will be sent to the county by March 31 and formally presented to the Board of County Supervisors on April 7.

School Board Members expect to revisit and trim budgeted spending after the BOCS clarifies its taxing plans, which account for nearly half of School Division revenue. For now, spending in the School Board plan is based on total revenue that includes county, state and federal funding.

The adopted version eliminated administrative positions for a proposed Office of School Improvement, and a Director of K-12 Activities and Athletics, and cut a proposed School Board pay increase. Board Members also directed five special education positions be added.

The adopted budget uses $5 million in savings from extending the school bus replacement cycle to help close previous funding shortfalls. Another $1.8 million came from reduced spending during staff turnover, and $650,000 was saved on cafeteria kitchen equipment.

Board Members initially split on whether to consider potential cuts and reaffirm priorities now or later. They ultimately voted to delay those discussions until learning more about BOCS decisions that will further define spending parameters.

School Board Members also voted to approve the Division’s Capital Improvements Program for 2016-2024, but with one significant change: A new school will be built on the “Ferlazzo” site at the corner of Spriggs and Minnieville Roads, but its use will be determined from two possibilities.

Board Members will hold public meetings (dates soon to be announced) before deciding if the building should house a new community elementary school, or be used to relocate Porter Traditional School. The relocation option would give Porter more space to meet high student demand, and allow conversion of its current building for elementary use.

The BOCS is due to decide the final county tax on April 16 and vote on an overall county budget April 21.

Once county revenue projections are clearer, the School Board will adjust its budget to balance with available funds, the news release stated.