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Caroline schools say 4% pay increase costs $1.8M; unresolved local share remains
Summary
School staff told the joint session that a 4% pay increase for all employees would cost about $1.8 million, with the state funding $1.0 million and a required local match near $551,000, leaving an estimated unfunded gap of roughly $245,366.
School finance staff presented the financial impact of a 4% compensation increase for all employees in FY27. "For the 4 percent compensation for all employees, it's approximately $1,800,000," the school finance speaker said, then outlined state and local contributions: the state provides about $1,000,000 and the county's required match is about $551,000, leaving an unfunded portion of approximately $245,366.
Supervisors and school leaders discussed options to cover the shortfall, including reversion funds, reprioritizing budget items, or using construction reserves for a one‑time gap. Staff warned that changing the local contribution could force cuts to identified budget priorities totaling about $1.1 million if the $1,030,000 figure the county proposed remains unchanged. The boards agreed to revisit numbers at the August meeting after audit finalization and additional modeling.
