The Virginian-Pilot
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PORTSMOUTH
The bad news for school employees: Gone are step raises, hiring 54 paraprofessionals for kindergarten classrooms and increasing funds for items such as materials and technology upgrades.
The good news: No one will be laid off.
Those were the school division's recommendations to School Board members Thursday night for salvaging next year's operating budget, estimated at about $139.4 million. That's up from about $135 million this year. But nearly $4.2 million in increases for must-fund items like health insurance just about eats up the additional money, leaders say.
School Board members had asked for about $8.3 million more from the city and had entertained including step raises. Earlier this week, however, the City Council only approved an extra $1.4 million for the schools. The city also agreed the division can spend $2.1 million from its own risk-management fund.
School Board members are scheduled to vote on a final budget May 26.
In other news, board member Mark Whitaker requested an update on establishing a marching band at Wilson High, the city's only school without a marching band.
Superintendent David Stuckwisch said two policy review committee members will meet about it before the next School Board meeting and get back to the board.
Increasing lunch prices by 10 cents next school year will be discussed later this month and could be voted on in June.
Although step raises are gone for employees, no one will be laid off under the school division's recommendation.
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Important
NO ONE LOSING THEIR JOBS --- that's what is important
Marching Band at Wilson High School
A few years ago, WWHS had a marching band, however the music supervisor decided to replace the band director. When she replaced the band director, the marching band went away. Maybe the school board should do some research and find out why the school no longer has a marching band. It is a crying shame.
No offense but I attended a marching band
Competition and I was surprised to see the gyrating dance moves, and the skimpy uniforms. The students waiting to perform stood around playing slap and tickle with each other.
It answered a lot of questions regarding the teen pregnancy rate, yet didn't answer any questions regarding the preparation of students for life after school.
The public school system shouldn't be footing the bill for these activities. If the parents and children want to be involved they should find a way to fund it without the use of tax payers money.
We had a band when I went to
We had a band when I went to Manor High School,and the Wilson had one before the new principal.(Not new anymore)Might I also say, half was funded by our parents and fundraisers. Maybe instead of getting rid of the band we might think of getting a new principal. One that will work to keep students in school instead of kicking them out. Give them a reason to stay in school and the will. Band uniforms cover more than parents allow them to come to school in. All bands have majorettes and flad girls that wear small outfits. Always have. Teen pregancy is not because of a band uniform, it is because parents don't keep an eye on their children like they should. It's because instead of extra activities they are left on the streets and home alone.