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School board adopts FY27 operating adjustments, including average 4.5% salary increase
Summary
Using approximately $3.4 million in additional state funds, the Frederick County School Board on July 14 approved an average 4.5% salary adjustment for staff, restored prior 10% reductions to schools and departments, added instructional coach and special-education positions, and approved communication plans about a separate sales-tax referendum.
The Frederick County School Board voted unanimously on July 14 to adopt FY27 operating fund adjustments after a presentation by district staff on roughly $3.4 million in additional state funding included in the final state budget.
District presenters recommended directing $2.1 million of the new state funds into base salaries to move the previously adopted average salary increase from 3.5% to an average 4.5% across staff, increasing degree supplemental pay and stipends for coaches and academic support, and restoring a 10% reduction to schools, facilities services and transportation. "It is our recommendation for your consideration of here's how to use that 3,400,000," the presenter said. (Mrs. Anderson)
The board also approved a $500,000 allocation to fund three full-time equivalent instructional coaches (one per high school) and two additional special-education van-driver FTEs, and added $250,000 to the facilities services budget. The presenter said the goal is to invest in staff and infrastructure with the additional state funds.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the characterization of the raise as an "average" 4.5 percent and about an optional 1% local sales-tax referendum. District staff said the term "average" reflects small rounding differences across pay-scale steps and that the board of supervisors has already placed an optional 1% sales-tax referendum on the November ballot; staff estimated the sales tax would generate roughly $24 million per year for 20 years dedicated to capital projects if approved by voters. "If this were to pass, it would be $24,000,000 a year for 20 years that will go directly to our capital projects," said a district leader. (Dr. Hummer)
A motion to adopt the operating fund adjustments — including the average 4.5% salary adjustment, three high-school instructional coaches, two special-education van-driver FTEs, restoration of prior budget reductions, and the $250,000 facilities allocation — passed by voice vote with all members in favor.
District staff said notifications to employees will be issued via the employee self-service platform and a follow-up letter will be sent to explain the adjustments. The board did not change tax policy in this action; the 1% sales-tax measure was described as a separate referendum to be decided by voters in November.
