County School Board member Rhonda Thurman told school officials on Thursday that "a 40-cent tax increase is not going to happen, and we are going to have to cut into this."
But Supt. Rick Smith said the public is embracing his "vision" for school improvement that would require $33.8 million in new local education funds.
He said, "I have yet to find anyone opposed to the vision. It is not about the vision, but what to do about the vision."
He added, "There needs to be some patience right now."
The School Board will once again discuss the proposed $378.8 million budget next Thursday at a budget work session prior to voting on it and a regular school board meeting afterward.
The current school spending is $345.3 million.
Ms. Thurman said, "I do not see five votes (on the County Commission) for this budget. The taxpayers won't stand for it. The board needs to start doing its due diligence."
Board member Steve Highlander conceded that residents in his district also do not want a tax hike, but he said of the commission, "We want them to fund us as well as they can."
He said Supt. Smith, who is going around the county making 11 community presentations, "has some wonderful ideas. The problem is getting it funded."
Ms. Thurman said the board needs to be looking at items such as a new requirement to pay the city a stormwater fee of around $400,000. She said she understands that companies under a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes), such as Volkswagen, don't have to pay a stormwater fee.
She said, "If that is so, then it's not right."
Ms. Thurman questioned whether the school system should continue to build new buildings, saying more and more students are likely to learn online or go to charter schools. She said the schools cannot afford whole new staffs at new schools.
The school "enhancement request" includes $11 million for a five percent employee salary/benefits increase.
Elementary art teachers and foreign language teachers would cost $2.2 million apiece.