Most Stafford County teachers and other school employees won't know until at least next week whether they'll receive a step increase this year.
The Stafford School Board last night unanimously voted to continue to "hold in abeyance" about $1 million for a step increase originally scheduled for April 1 through June 30. Members said they wanted to wait until the county Board of Supervisors approves its 2010-11 spending plan next Tuesday.
The School Board scheduled a special meeting next Wednesday to reconsider the step increase, which it can implement retroactively.
"We want to give the steps so bad our teeth hurt, but we want to do it with a clear view" of next year's budget, School Board member Ty Schieber said. Some members said they don't want to approve the step raise only
A little more than 3,000 school employees are eligible for the average 2.5 percent step increase, said Director of Budget and Grants Patty Sullivan. It will cost about $3.8 million for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which begins
In December, the School Board narrowly voted to use $911,000--from about $1 million provided by county supervisors--for the April 1 step increase. In March, the School Board voted to hold off on the raise until it had more information on the 2010-11 budget.
Superintendent David Saw-yer encouraged the School Board to make a final decision at last night's meeting because he said it would take staff a lot of time to implement the step raise.
"I know it's a terrible amount of work, but on the other hand, it means so much to our employees," School Board member Patricia Mancini said.
At a work session Monday, Sawyer also said it's becoming increasingly more unlikely that the school system will be able to afford to continue the step increase in 2010-11. He suggested that the School Board give employees a one-time stipend instead.
Brooke Point High School teacher Theresa Thompson asked the School Board to follow through on its original commitment.
"If you do not vote to reinstate that step, you are sending the message to the Board of Supervisors that teacher compensation is not your highest priority," she said.
The $1 million being reserved for a step increase came from a $6.2 million surplus the county discovered last year.
Most of the money, $4.8 million, is in county reserves. Supervisors also voted to use $344,000 for $2,000 retention bonuses for Stafford sheriff's depu-ties.
In other business, several administrators spoke against the School Board's decision on Monday to send almost 800 employees notices stating that their contract lengths may be reduced in 2010-11.
The letters will go out by tomorrow to employees with contracts exceeding 200 days, or 10 months. That includes central office administrators, principals, secretaries, career and technical education teachers, Commonwealth Governor's School teachers and custodians.
"How can you single out one portion of your employees in such a destructive manner?" administrative assistant Cathy White said during last night's meeting.
Hartwood Elementary School Principal Catherine Walker urged the School Board not to be "bullied by the Board of Supervisors." Some supervisors have said the division has too many administrators.
"It is troubling that most of the people in the central office who have more than a 200-day contract have never asked for a raise--never," Walker said.
Some of last night's speakers said supervisors should tap into the county's rainy-day fund to help schools.
School Board Chairwoman Dana Reinboldt stressed that members haven't made a decision on contract reductions.
"This is not an easy thing for us to do, and we're hoping we won't be in this position. But at the moment, we just don't know," said Reinboldt, who appeared to choke up during her remarks.
Member Stephanie Johnson said she thinks the division can avoid the pay cuts.
"I think there are other places we can go to and not settle on what seems to be the most convenient and large chunk of money," she said.
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com