Williamson County budget committee hears plea to fund 4% teacher pay raise as schools face $17.8M gap

Summary

Williamson County school leaders told the budget committee they face a roughly $17.9 million funding gap for next year and reiterated a request to fully fund a proposed 4% pay increase for teachers; staff outlined revenue volatility, carryover grants, textbook-cycle costs and limited options to close the shortfall.

Beverly Pervvis, president of the Williamson County Education Association, urged the county's budget committee on April 28 to "fully fund the district's 4% budget increase," saying the raise is "not a bonus" but an adjustment needed to keep pace with inflation and retain teachers.

School finance staff told the committee the district's projected gap has narrowed from an earlier $22 million estimate to about $17.88 million after updated property-tax assessments and a stronger-than-expected sales-tax month. Rachel (presenting for the district) said the improvement "moves us in the right direction," but cautioned the gains may not repeat and that sales-tax receipts are reported about two months in arrears.

Why it matters: the district needs an adequate unassigned fund balance (the schools cite a required 3% threshold for state approval) and faces several recurring…

Williamson County budget committee hears plea to fund 4% teacher pay raise as schools face $17.8M gap

Summary

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