By Krysta Huber
Lexington City Schools released a proposed budget this week that will include catch-up raises for teachers. Superintendent Dan Lyons says the city wants to make up increases it missed during the recession of 2008-2009.
Numbers for the final budget ultimately depend on the budget passed by the General Assembly at the end of its current session. But Lyons said he is confident that the current estimate paints a clear picture of what the city can expect for the 2014-2015 school year.
Lyons says the item called “instruction” should increase by more than $300,000. He said part of that proposed increase is a result of raising teacher salaries by two steps.
“Steps relate to experience,” Lyons said. “Over the years there have been times when we were unable to give steps, so giving two steps as we have done in the past put teachers back where they are supposed to be.”
Retirement plans, healthcare premiums, and an increase in the population of Lexington students who attend Rockbridge County High School also account for increases in the budget. The city pays tuition to the county for its students to attend the high school. That figure increases as enrollment goes up.
The city should also receive an increase in state aid next year. The proposed budget shows nearly $350,000 in additional state funding.
The city wants to spend more than $6.5 million on the total budget. But what will be paid by the state and what will remain the city’s share won’t be determined until the end of the current General Assembly session.
Rockbridge County Schools and Buena Vista City School will also release proposed budgets soon.