County Mayor Jim Coppinger told members of the County Commission at a budget workshop on Tuesday that it would take a 28 1/2-cent property tax increase to fully fund the county school budget request.
The county schools are asking for $24,218,919 in new money for a focus on workforce readiness, literacy and low-performing schools.
County Mayor Coppinger did not say whether or not he is recommending the increase.
He said county school officials had laid out how they would spend the added funds in the three specific areas.
He said, "They are saying if you do this, we're going to show you the return on your money. We have not seen this before."
County finance officials said a one-cent tax increase brings in about $850,000.
A person owning a $100,000 house would pay an extra $71.25 per year in property taxes if the 28 1/2-cent increase request is approved.
The request would fund 78 additional school personnel that officials said would be classroom involved.
The request is to go from $360.8 million to $385.2 million.
The county schools are expecting a boost of over $10 million in state BEP funds. The request to the county is over and above that.
The request is for $19.1 million for workforce readiness priorities, $7.2 million for literacy and $5.7 million for a focus on Priority Schools. There are five schools on the state's low-performing list, and 11 more are "on the cusp."
Another $1.7 million would be for system-wide priorities.
Total for requested budget additions is $33.7 million.
Officials said over 6,000 students are already enrolled in career and technical education programs. There are 15 programs, including welding, culinary arts, mechatronics, agriculture, health science and machining.
New spending on workforce readiness would include:
-Technology equipment $4.1 million
-Educational technology and infrastructure support $3.8 million
-Expanded graduation options $2 million
-Recruitment and retention initiatives $8.8 million
-Student support software and personnel $408,530
Steps to boost literacy would include
- Additional instructional staff at each elementary school
-Increased instructional resources and date sources to support early intervention and growth of each student
-Focused professional learning opportunities for all teachers.
The department has set three-year goals to boost literacy rates and improve ACT scores.
County school officials noted there is an increased proportion of Hispanic students entering the schools.
The Priority School focus would be:
-Extend support beyond iZone to all schools near priority status
-Increase instructional supports tailored to specific priority schools and student populations
-Strategic recruitment and retention focused on highly effective teachers and leaders in the priority schools
-Increased support for the growing English Language Learners population
-Connections for students and families to basic medical care through tele-medicine and clinic-in-schools program.