Addition of ten full-time positions part of New Kent schools’ $35 million budget for FY2019-20

With the enrollment on a continuous incline inside of school buildings, New Kent Superintendent of Schools Dave Myers presented a budget that included the addition of ten full-time positions.

Myers presented a recommended budget of $35,165,788 for FY2019-20 at Monday evening’s school board work session. That amount is $2,031,313 more than the current school year’s budget of $33.1 million. Of the proposed figure, the superintendent is requesting that the county’s contribution be $14,274,595. That accounts for a $200,000 increase from the current year’s operational budget.

In Myers’ presentation, approximately $736,982 is designated for position additions or modifications. The superintendent recommended $501,176 for the hiring of seven teachers to support the school system’s growth and program needed. In addition to the instructors, he recommended the hiring of one nurse ($67,475), addition of two bus drivers along with converting four part-time drivers to full-time ($81,859), converting a paraprofessional position to support Special Education ($30,906), and addressing Human Resources salary and benefit changes ($55,566).

Other expected major expenditures projected under Myers’ proposal include custodial services ($45,652), professional development ($10,910), and technology services due to increased enrollment ($10,000).

The superintendent has also designated $868,692 to address salary adjustments for the upcoming cycle. Of that amount, $681,252 will be used to hone a step and wage adjustment for staff. An additional $155,742 has been tabbed to adjust the teacher scale. The paraprofessional scale ($24,250) and stipend schedule ($7,448) round out the final salary figures.

Healthcare considerations are currently being determined, with schools projecting a three-percent increase until further information is available. Schools are projecting minimal increases for employees for the next plan year. Other considerations focused on in the school’s proposed budget includes holding $131,327 in contingency, managing growth and projects at the school level, focusing on pay scales, and minimizing healthcare increases for employees.

New Kent school leaders will meet this Friday (Feb. 15) with county leaders as part of the annual budget retreat at Providence Forge’s Recreation Center.