Reply to How would you cut the budget?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote]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]

+1
They blame it on the teachers because they think that will get them the money.

Thank you for posting this.  Claiming that 85% is spent on instruction (I suspect that Reid's $500K is included in that) and then illustrating that only 41% is spent on classroom instruction is revealing.

I was a teacher.  This is egregious.  Every line item should be examined.  
[/quote]

ESOL spending went from $63m to $102m in 4 years (2021 to 2025).  An approx. $40m increase.  It's huge.  God knows what it is in 2026 budget.  [/quote]

Why is this though? Back in the day, many of my friends were 1st gen and yet ended up at the same state college. They spoke their parents' languages at home.[/quote]

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