The Virginian-Pilot
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NORFOLK
A year after receiving a 9 percent bump in city money, Superintendent Stephen C. Jones is asking local officials for an increase of just 2 percent in his proposed operating budget for the school division.
The $330 million plan includes new money for student photo identification cards, teacher training, a summer algebra academy, and a program to keep suspended students academically on-track.
The budget calls for an average raise of 4.4 percent for teachers.
Hourly employees would receive average increases of 5.6 percent in the second year of a pay plan, while administrators are scheduled to see an average 3.8 percent increase.
Under the proposed budget, city taxpayers would contribute $105.5 million. A $9.8 million boost from the state's new estimates of its portion of the budget made it possible to request a small increase from the city, said Jane Pellegrino, the school division's budget director.
The school division anticipates losing 779 students next year, and plans to reduce the teaching complement by 55 through attrition. Officials hope to add 16 special-education teachers, however.
The proposed budget was developed using the plan proposed in December by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, so it could change in future weeks as lawmakers hammer out the state's budget, said Fred Schmitt, the school division's chief financial officer.
Amy Jeter, (757) 446-2730, amy.jeter@pilotonline.com
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Norfolk School Budget
A percent here, a percent there...it is a shame that the Norfolk school administration has proposed a budget that gives new teachers nearly 8.8%. Some administrators would get a 31.1% raise (see page 66, line 5 and 6, of the proposed 220 page budget). The dedicated, veteran teachers who are in the classroom with the students, who help mentor the new teachers would receive a proposed .4% raise.
For myself, after 36 years, this works out to be $1 a day or even less if calculated by the hours in a 7 1/2 hour day (most teachers put in more than the 7 1/2 hours in school. This effects many teachers.
This budget has done more to lower morale and cause discontent than can be imagined. Who would want to work for such an employer who treats employees like this? Even the young will get to this point some day if they survive so long.
If budgetary restraints are necessary, it would have been received favorably if no one received a pay raise. I hope the School Board and the City Council take note of this poor management and fiscal planning.