Raises for employees and funding for many new positions are included in a proposed budget for Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS).
The fiscal 2023 proposal was shared with the Prince William County School Board on Wednesday, according to a letter from Superintendent LaTanya McDade.
“We began our budget development process this year with a commitment to align our investments with the priorities and outcomes outlined in the PWCS Vision 2025, Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan,” McDade said in a release from the school division. “As a result, I am excited to share that the Fiscal Year 2023 Superintendent’s Budget includes significant investments focused on supporting our classrooms and students.”
Featuring an operating budget of about $1.4 billion, the proposed spending plan allocates $61 million for raises and cost of living adjustments among employees.
If approved, teachers and staff would receive a cost of living adjustment of 4.2 percent and a raise, which would be 7 percent on average, for most of those who work for the school system.
Almost $10 million could be set aside for more resources related to special education, such as adding 100 full-time special education assistants.
Hiring 88 full-time kindergarten teaching assistants, 35 parent liaisons, five social workers, and 15 career counselors is also included in the proposal.
Officials are recommending the addition of 29 security specialists and 14 nurses, as well.
The operating revenue is rising by an estimated $173.1 million – 14.1 percent – from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2023. The amount of funding that Prince William County is contributing to the PWCS Operating Fund would go up by about $50.6 million – 9.2 percent. Meanwhile, revenue from the state will increase an estimated $121.6 million – 19.9 percent.
Funds for the school system’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP) are also included in the proposed budget.
A public meeting about the fiscal 2023 proposed budget is scheduled for Monday, and a public hearing will take place on February 16. The School Board is having two work sessions – one on February 23 and the other on March 9 – and intends to approve the budget on March 16.
On April 5, the plan is expected to be presented to the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS), which should be approving it no later than April 30.
