Employees in the Baltimore County school system would receive raises next fiscal year, according to Superintendent Joe Hairston’s proposed operating budget.
Pay raises were a major point of disagreement between the county’s five school employee unions and school system officials in the current fiscal year’s budget. Employees unsuccessfully held several rallies demanding more money, and the school board rejected a mediation panel’s decision to give cost-of-living increases.
The $1.25 billion proposed budget, which Hairston presented at the school board’s meeting Tuesday night, sets aside about $23.5 million for raises and $11.6 million for step increases.
“It is important to recognize the members of our work force as individuals,” Hairston said.
The budget is 6.6 percent more than the current budget, and it provides for 77 new employees, the majority of whom would work at the county’s first charter school, the Imagine Discovery Charter School, which opened this school year.
Hairston’s proposal does not include any new programs, and it comes amid a national economic downturn that could be the worst since the Great Depression.
With the General Assembly starting its session this week, the state could cut its funding to local systems because the sagging economy has produced revenue below predictions.
“We’re at a point of uncertainty, but this budget will move forward,” Hairston said.
Don Mohler, county spokesman, said it was premature to comment on the school system’s budget.
“It’s going to be an extremely difficult budget year and all budgets will receive close scrutiny.”Negotiations between unions and the school system are continuing, so it is unclear how large raises would be for employees. Cafeteria workers and others paid hourly would receive a pay boost; new hires would start at $10 per hour, Hairston said.
Board of Education President JoAnn Murphy said of the effect the economy will have on the school system’s budget: “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”
