Reply to How would you cut the budget?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Teachers and other county workers should not be getting big raises at a time when Fairfax families are seeing their life savings wiped out by the Trump administration.  They should be lucky they at least have a job, unlike many others in the region facing unemployment. [/quote]

When times are “good”, I’m sure you’re the first one signing up to speak and advocate for school employee raises. Right? [/quote]

No, but I supported them.

We cannot afford the extra taxes to raise salaries now.  The savings of Fairfax residents are going up in smoke, and many have been and will be laid off.  We cannot afford a raise based on an entirely differ set of economic assumptions. [b]Teachers should forego raises and realize they are lucky just to have a job.[/b] [/quote]

Get informed before you spew the hate.

You might be surprised to learn that teacher and instructional aid salary only makes up 41% of the budget. It is common misconception that is driven by FCPS messaging.

For example, the FCPS FY Toolkit (https://www.fcps.edu/fy-2026-budget-toolkit) includes the following statements:

“More than 85% of the budget is dedicated to instruction and reflects the needs of our community’s young people in response to the changing world around us. Budget priorities include providing competitive compensation for all employees, including a 7% salary increase for all staff. The majority of the budget increase is dedicated to that proposed 7% pay increase.”

and

“Breaking Down the Budget: Investing in Our Classrooms
Did you know that more than 85% of FCPS’ budget stays in our classrooms?”

Every presentation I have seen about budget needs highlights the salary differences between FCPS and surrounding districts based on teacher salary charts. The argument is always the same: competitive teacher salaries are essential for recruitment and retention.

If FCPS already pays bus drivers, custodians, principals, school-based counselors, and/or central office employees more than or commensurate amounts as other districts, should all these employees should get a 7% raise based on a disparity in teacher pay with other districts, if the primary goal is to increase teacher recruitment and retention?

It seems like there is an opportunity to make teacher pay more competitive, even with a reduced budget. I sincerely believe that every employee is an essential member of the team to support student learning. However, when the budget is tight, it is worth looking to see if a 7% raise is necessary for all employees of FCPS if the goal is teacher recruitment and retention, especially if those other positions already receive competitive levels on compensation.

Unless, of course, the true goal held by leadership is to scapegoat teachers for budget shortfalls. [/quote]

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