Charles City leaders give additional funds for school raises, instructs school board to use them properly

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind surrounding providing raises for Charles City school employees. The comments exchanged between the county’s board of supervisors and county school leaders have led to questions about the responsibility of providing funding for the pay increases. Charles City supervisors hope that after adopting the FY2021-22 budget that school leaders will make sure their staff receive a five-percent increase.

After County Administrator Michelle Johnson revised her budget based on directives from county leaders, Charles City supervisors passed the $17,926,155 local budget 2-0-1 with newly elected District 3 supervisor Byron Adkins Sr. abstaining from the vote. Including state and federal funding, the complete budget figure is $23,842,177.

After District 2 representative Bill Coada provided a recap of his comments at the May 20 public hearing (see related story by clicking here), Johnson provided a new recommendation of $6,018,997 for county schools.

The new figure was broken down on a slide that showed level funding equal to that of FY2018-19 in the amount of $5,504,573, the last complete fiscal year amount prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervisors will also fund five percent raises for all SOQ (Standards of Quality) employees in the amount of $182,171. The board also approved paying the differential of the energy performance contract that totals $201,897 and will contribute $130,356 to the school’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

To accomplish the changes, Johnson reduced the amount of funding in the special events account and removed the funds from the general fund contingency. Items that were included in the adopted budget include performance-based raises for county employees (up to three percent), the hiring of two part-time positions, and several CIP projects that include the restoration of the Parrish Hill School and replacing the water tank at the Ruthville Gymnasium.

But as county leaders adopted the budget, they wanted to send a stern message to the school board about using the additional funds.

“If the school board doesn’t give the SOQ/teachers the raises, it will not be appropriated,” commented District 1 and board chairman Gilbert Smith. “This board will be revisiting this issue and will be asking for the money back.”

District 2 representative Bill Coada echoed his colleague’s sentiment, mentioning that they will be monitoring the funds beginning July 1 when they are appropriated.

In other actions taken by the county’s board of supervisors:

–Granted a portion of a budget transfer request from the schools. The schools had requested that $80,000 be transfer from instruction to instructional technology/special projects. However, supervisors that specific request, citing that they would like the school board to revisit those funds and look at possibly providing raises to those employees who rank lower on the pay scale. Those employees include teachers, instructional aides, and cafeteria workers.

–Announced a public hearing on road restrictions for truck traffic on Charles City Road and Old Union Road. In Oct. 2019, an ordinance was passed to prevent thru truck traffic on Old Union Road. In Feb. 2020, a similar ordinance was passed to the same effect for trucks on Charles City Road. However, both ordinances had to be temporarily repealed because a portion of Charles City Road runs through the eastern portion of Henrico County. At that time, Henrico supervisors did not want to restrict truck traffic on that road. However, after conversations with Johnson and letters from Charles City constituents, Henrico leaders approved the restriction at their May 24 meeting. Charles City will be able to implement the restrictions after its June meeting if supervisors approve the measure.