WINNSBORO (May 13, 2016) – The Fairfield County School Board of Trustees reviewed the proposed 2016-2017 District budget, as well as policy revisions suggested by the S.C. School Board Association (SCSBA) during an April 26 work session.
Board members had more than 70 pages of budget detail before them, but only asked a few questions, mostly for clarification. According to Kevin Robinson, Director of Finance for the District, the proposed budget of $38,470,384 projects a slight increase in revenue of $600,000, or about 2 percent, and includes a corresponding increase in expenditures of about $670,000. The millage rate will remain the same.
Two of the main drivers for the expenditure increase will be a state-mandated 2 percent raise for teachers, plus hiring for six new instructional positions. According to Dr. J.R. Green, District Superintendent, these new positions will be an expansion of District staff. They will include four classroom teachers, one literacy interventionist and one instructional facilitator.
Two of the teaching positions will be for class size reduction, and the other two teachers will be used to expand the District’s Alternative Learning Program and dual credit options. The literacy interventionist will be added to address identified gaps in literacy development; the instructional facilitator will be added to provide additional support to instructional staff.
In addition, Green said that the District will be looking to fill existing vacancies next year. At this time, the District is seeking to replace 33 certified positions for next year, although this is not a static figure. Eight of those vacancies currently have pending recommendations to be approved by the Board of Trustees.
The Board also began sifting through policy models and revisions from the SCSBA, and will continue this review, although according to Board Chairwomen Beth Reid (District 7), the next work session has not been scheduled. The next regularly called Board meeting is May 17 at the District offices.