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Vicksburg Warren trustees approve 5% hourly pay increase; board cites fund balance
Summary
The board approved a 5% pay increase for hourly employees, with trustees citing a healthier fund balance and an estimated annual payroll impact of $253,690.88 plus $66,086.47 in benefits. Trustees debated affordability and federal funding dependencies.
The Vicksburg Warren School District Board of Trustees voted to approve a 5% pay increase for hourly employees during its September meeting, a move trustees said recognizes rising costs for district staff but that also requires monitoring of budget reserves.
Board members debated the size and scope of the raise before approving J1. Trustee discussion named bus assistants, secretaries and other hourly classifications as included while noting that tutors and some other categories were treated differently. During the discussion, one trustee said, “I want everybody to have a raise. First, let me say that upfront. If we can afford it.” Another trustee cautioned, “I just don't want to be in the red.”
Superintendent (Speaker 4) told the board the district’s fund balance has increased since 2021 and said administrators had factored the raise into budget requests to the Board of Supervisors. “We have increased the fund balance by $10,000,000 since I and Miss Hughes have been here,” he said, and added that the higher fund balance and a previously approved 4% increase from the county were intended to cover personnel costs.
Board members and staff provided the financial estimate used in deliberations: an annual payroll increase of $253,690.88 with benefits estimated at $66,086.47. Trustees asked for assurances about sustaining the increase if unexpected funding changes occur; the superintendent said current projections keep the district “in the black” but noted federal funding freezes could force service reductions for programs paid with those funds.
The motion to approve J1 passed by voice vote. Board materials and the meeting discussion show the board included the increase in this year’s budget request to county officials and said contract‑tracking spreadsheets will help the district monitor renewals and fiscal timing going forward.
Next step: the board will publish the updated salary scale and monitor carryover funds through the fiscal year.
