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Supervisors Press Schools on 3.5% COLA as Personnel Costs Dominate Budget
Summary
Supervisors questioned the schools’ proposed 3.5% COLA—when the state average cited was 2.7%—and asked for justification; staff warned state pay decisions affect local revenue eligibility and that personnel costs make up about 86% of the schools’ budget.
Supervisor David Ferguson noted personnel are the largest budget line and asked why the schools proposed a 3.5% COLA when the average for the state was reported at roughly 2.7%. Ms. Campbell told the board the governor proposed 2%, the House proposed 2%, and the Senate proposed 3%, and cautioned that some state revenue offsets require local compliance with the state pay formulas.
Dr. Sheppard said the schools want to remain competitive with neighboring localities to retain employees; supervisors asked staff to model the effect of lower COLA options and to show the staffing and vacancy impacts, particularly in special education where caseloads remain high.
