Teachers to get raise from County Budget

Northampton County has completed this fiscal year’s budget. The $28,134,646 was passed at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

As part of the budget, Northampton County teachers will be getting a raise after all.

Getting to this point has been frustrating for Chairman Murray and the Board of Supervisors. Since January, the board has been trying to get fiscal information from the School Board as to their “basis” for this current fiscal year.

During the last budget work session, Chairman Murray questioned school administration over the lack of transparency in the finances of the school district. Murray, who is a former school board member reminded the schools that the Board of Supervisors gave every dime they could. He also noted that the school board currently has a surplus, which could be used for teacher raises.

The Board, after pulling teeth for several months, finally received the financial information from Superintendent Eddie Lawrence.

With several unfilled teacher positions, the ending balance of the Northampton County School system is approximately $705,000 under the $9 million budget.

The School Board had requested an additional $474,700, however, the BOS had agreed to fund the school system at about half of that requested amount. The Board of Supervisors directed the School Board to give the school system teachers and staff raises in the amount of an additional $200,000 from their fund balance.

The remainder will be placed in the Capital Improvement Fund for building and equipment repair/replacement.

Supervisor Duer warned that this could be a funding issue for next year. That is, where the county would get the additional $200,000 to give to the school system next year?

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Wayne Creed

Administrator

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