City Schools Ask for $1.4 Million Budget Hike

The Fredericksburg Public School system has proposed its first budget increase in three years, asking for $25.4 million in city funding from the city to make ends meet next year. That's a $1.4 million, 5.8 percent increase over last year's budget.

The budget, presented by city school Superintendent David Melton at last night's School Board meeting, totals $36.6 million. However, Melton added that the final form of the budget would be dependent on the outcomes of fiscal debates in Richmond. 

"If the state goes with the Senate version, then we'll see $90,000 in additional revenue for us, if the state goes with the house version, then we'd see $60,000 in additional revenue," said Melton. "The budget could still change before March."

Over the last decade, the city's portion of the school budget has grown 104 percent from $12.4 million in 2001-2002 to a proposed $25.4 million for 2011-2012. Despite this, the city's public schools have not seen a budget increase since 2008. In 2009, the city's share of the school budget was cut 2.8 percent to $24 million where it has remained since. 

Melton's proposed budget increases fall along four line items: payroll and benefits, hiring five new teachers, and increases in health insurance premiums and retirement benefits.

According to the proposed budget, implementing a 2.5 percent pay raise would require $536,250, hiring five new teachers would require $320,139. 

A public hearing on the proposed budget is slated for March 7. The board must adopt a budget for submission to the City Council by April 1. The City Council itself must approve the budget by May 15.