Warren County school leaders seek pay increases, new hires and $600K–$900K for K–8 math textbooks

School officials outlined a multi-part FY27 budget plan at a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors that would raise pay, add instructional staff and buy new textbooks while asking supervisors to phase capital repairs over several years.

At the meeting, Heather, the assistant superintendent for instruction, told the boards the division is requesting a K–8 math adoption and associated seven‑year digital licenses and consumables. "We estimate that that cost will be around $600 to $900,000 for a 7‑year textbook purchase," Heather said, noting publisher packages and the mix between hardback and consumable texts account for most of the price variance. The district is also seeking history textbooks for state‑tested courses at an estimated $85,000–$120,000.

Superintendents and staff emphasized the purchases link to district device strategy: heavier reliance on Chromebooks reduces the need for hardback text inventories but increases digital license costs. Heather said math and history are the primary requests this year; English and additional high‑school materials would follow in subsequent years.

The administration proposed a three‑year compensation plan intended to make the district more competitive with neighboring systems. Under the plan, year one would include a 4% base increase plus step increases targeted by job group (instructional assistants, nurses, bus drivers, head coaches); year two would repeat 4% plus step and address social‑worker and speech‑pathologist scales and assistant coaches; year three would be a 3% plus step update. The plan also includes targeted reclassifications and creation of two funded intern school‑psychologist positions to grow the pipeline of licensed clinicians.

Officials said the pay plan is designed to prioritize instructional roles and high‑turnover positions while remaining fiscally phased. The presenters stressed the change is a staged approach rather than an immediate full‑scale reclassification of every pay line.

Personnel requests also include three general‑education teachers to address elementary class‑size pressure at several schools, additional special‑education teachers because of state enrollment limits, a board‑certified behavioral analyst for general‑education supports, translators to serve a growing English‑learner population, a history curriculum coordinator, and operational hires including a systems technician focused on cybersecurity and a transportation trainer.

On capital needs, the district presented a six‑year capital improvement plan that prioritizes roof repairs (Hilda J. Barber Elementary was cited), intercom and safety‑system upgrades, paving and selected bus replacements. Capital staff emphasized routine maintenance and environmental wear (salt‑related corrosion) are forcing earlier retirements of some vehicles.

Officials asked supervisors for a staged approval and said they will supply more detail on insurance coverage for storm damage, cost comparisons for metal vs. membrane roofing, and line‑by‑line personnel cost projections. The meeting concluded with board members asking staff to return with procurement, benefits and custody‑vs‑employee cost comparisons to inform final budget decisions.

The board did not take a formal vote during the briefing; presenters said more detailed budget hearings and follow‑up sessions are planned before any final appropriation.