School staff funding crisis sparks urgent budget discussions
October 14, 2024 | Asheville City Schools, School Districts, North Carolina
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Officials noted that while the state has provided some funding, it does not cover all staff, particularly those funded locally. This raises questions about how to sustain compensation for hourly staff, many of whom are not state-allocated. The discussion highlighted that the current legislation, referred to as House Bill 149, does not allow for the extension of the school year beyond the established 215 days, despite the loss of instructional time due to the hurricane.
The meeting revealed that the bill is largely revenue neutral, as the budget already accounts for staff salaries based on the standard working days. However, there is concern about the inability to pay staff for additional days without securing extra funding. The officials expressed frustration over the term \"calendar flexibility,\" arguing that it offers little real flexibility in addressing the lost instructional days.
A potential solution discussed was the possibility of redistributing required workdays to create more instructional time. Officials noted that while there are options to adjust the calendar, such as converting some required workdays into instructional days, this would require careful consideration of the academic calendar and the needs of staff for grading and other responsibilities.
Overall, the meeting underscored the complexities of managing staff compensation and instructional time in the wake of unforeseen disruptions, with officials seeking clarity on how to navigate these challenges effectively.
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