More to come, but Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata presented a $1.25 billion operating budget today calling for an $8.8 million increase in funding from county commissioners.
Tata is also asking the school board to waive policy to allow him to use $28 million of the district's $34.5 million undesignated fund balance to help balance the budget. Board policy says Wake should only spend half of its rainy-day fund.
Tata said these steps will allow him to make up the $28 million loss in federal money that saved 500 teaching jobs this year. It will also allow Wake to offer teachers a 1-percent raise and a one-time $500 bonus to non-certified staff.
Tata said the budget also includes money to help schools become more attractive that were under chosen in the new student assignment plan.
The budget also calls for no layoffs.
UPDATE
Click here to view the budget proposal. Click here to provide feedback.
Comments
No new money
Wed, 03/07/2012 - 15:41 — tartexanI don't believe Gurley and Coble have it in their DNA to increase funding to the schools. They are much more interested their new races than in measly county schools.
It's not a DNA problem
Wed, 03/07/2012 - 19:34 — FSandYOUIt's a "not in the wallet" problem.
You'd be better off concerning yourself with whether or not they will cut and not give what they gave last year. That 8 million desired could turn into 20 in the hole.
There is no way
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 18:13 — ScoreOneCoble and Gurley will fund another 8 million to schools. Tata keeps throwing money at programs (bonus pay, additional programs) with no way to recoup recurring funding. This is a house of cards that he is setting the BOE up for.
What a master political-bater. This is what his mentor, Pete Gorman did in Charlotte. Throw so many things at the wall, you never know what works, what doesn't.
The bottom line is that the system has been flat funded for years, (negative funded due to growth). Tata is being fiscially irresponsible and the only people who will lose are our kids.
If the BOE doesn't move forward with his budget (no doubt based upon as he calls it...."his professional opinion") it won't be his red wagon being wrecked. When will his facade be called?
I totally agree
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 20:49 — FSandYOUSo if they lose 50 mill in Fed funds, the CC's don't come through, he can't wipe out the rainy day fund etc... there is no way we won't lose teachers this time. Possibly a bunch of teachers.
And...
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 19:03 — Bob_SconceWhat is your alternative?
See WRAL breaking news
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 17:48 — shank56See WRAL breaking news headlines regarding budget. Says operating budget is a 24.3 million decrease from prior year. Is that correct?
Yep. They're getting $50
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 18:17 — KeungHui (author)Yep. They're getting $50 million less in federal funding alone.
Is this stimulus money that
Wed, 03/07/2012 - 15:59 — shearertwIs this stimulus money that is running out?
Some stimulus, some other
Thu, 03/08/2012 - 01:23 — KeungHui (author)Some stimulus, some other federal funds.
Yes
Wed, 03/07/2012 - 19:31 — FSandYOUThe band-aid is falling off.
You mean the 1T band-aid
Thu, 03/08/2012 - 10:39 — shearertwYou mean the 1T band-aid didn't stop the bleeding?
Is the title misleading?
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 17:33 — bpuli9999Is Tata asking for the additional money directly from the county commissioners or is he asking the BoE to ask them? Since when does he directly deal with the county?
You're reading too much. We
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 17:42 — KeungHui (author)You're reading too much. We did the same thing when Burns asked for county funding increases in the budget. Like in the past, it's up to the school board whether to approve the request as part of their budget proposal to commissioners.
So...
Tue, 03/06/2012 - 17:38 — Bob_SconceThe budget presumes that the county will allocate the money. It's up to the board to request the money from the county.