Members of the school board passed tentative adoption of the school district’s FY 2023 budget during the April meeting. School district staff raises represent a major part of the budget investments.
The school district will consider final adoption of the budget in May. Fiscal Year 2023 begins on July 1 and represents the 2022–23 school year.
School District Budget
The proposed budget for FY 2023 includes a $441.9 million dollar general fund. By comparison, the FY 2021–22 budget had expenses of $417.4 million.
Proposed general fund revenues include the following:
- State – $230.9 million
- Local – $209.0 million
- Federal – $2.0 million
The largest increase in funding is in local funds — up $32.5 million from this year. The local tax digest increased 15.5% year-to-year. This measurement represents the cumulative countywide increase in property values from both new construction and higher market values.
School District Staff Raises
The additional local funding allows Henry County Schools to make greater investment in personnel. In total, 77% of full-time school district employees will receive a pay increase.
Some of the highlights include teachers receiving at least an 8% raise. This includes the $2,000 in salary boost approved by the state. Plus, the school district is providing another $1,500 in starting salary. The investment in teacher salaries represents $7.8 million.
Several job families receive compensation linked to teacher salaries. They too will receive a pay boost. Examples include assistant principals, media specialists, social workers and counselors.
In addition, paraprofessionals will see a pay raise. Parapros with ten years or less experience — representing 73% of the district’s parapros — will see a minimum increase of 20%. The minimum increase for all parapros is 8%.
Finally, the budget includes a minimum of a 4% increase for school nutrition manager and assistant salaries. It also improves school secretary, bookkeeper, and data clerk pay scales to yield a minimum 7% increase.
New Positions
The FY 2023 budget includes sixty-nine (69) new positions for Henry County Schools. They are as follows:
- Elementary STEM Teachers and MS/HS Fine Arts Teacher Allotments (49)
- Career Transition Facilitator, Language Access Facilitator, Psychologists and 504 Support (7)
- Facilities, Transportation, and Information Technology Staff (7)
- Business Enterprise, Legal, and Foundation Staff (6)
Budget Final Steps
Henry County Schools will hold a second and final public hearing on the FY 2023 budget during their May meeting. The board next meets on Monday, May 9, at the district office in McDonough. The budget hearing begins at 6:30 pm. Afterwards, the school board will consider final adoption of the budget during the 7 o’clock business session.
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