TheSavannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) passed a tentative budget for the 2022-23 school yearduring a regular board meeting on Wednesday, June 1.
The tentative$791.9 million budget representsa mix of general funds, general obligation debtfunds,special revenue funds, capital funds and other grants.
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Among the points of interest includea decrease in the millage rate and an increase of pay for district employees and property taxes. Here is what to know:
Decrease millage rate coming to Savannah-Chatham County schools
In the tentative budget, SCCPSSis looking to decrease the current millage rate from 18.131 to 17.631, or a .50mil decrease. The millagerate is the tax rate that isused tocalculate local property taxes and represents the tax imposed on every $1,000 of a property's assessed value.
Because overall assessed property values increased resulting in a rise in local revenues, the district wasable to reduce the school millage rate and still remain in budget, said Sheila Blanco,the district's communication director.
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Savannah-Chatham teachers, staff to see salary increase
The tentative budget also includes a 5% salary increase for non-teaching, hourly employees in an effort to bring custodians, bus drivers, nutrition workers and other hourly employees up to alivable wage.
The district wants to increase entry level pay from $11.40 to $13.30, but board members said the pay should be increased to $15 per hour because cost of living is high in Chatham County.
"I think it is very important that we do our part as district and set an example for the rest of the community, whetherit is public or private sector employees, and pay a living wage," said District1 school board member Denise Grabowski.
Thedistrict'sbudget director PaigeCooley said thelowest paid employee with zero to one yearof work experiencewould make $13.30 per hour. For example, a custodianwho made $11.40 per hour during the 2021-22 school year will make $13.30 per hour under the new tentative budget.
"My district has a lot of people of color, and a lot of people of color are populating those positions of custodial and mechanics,so those are the constituentsthat I hear from," said District 3 school board member Cornelia Hall. "I can sit here monthafter month in my pearls and know that I have many constituents living hand to mouth and can't make it."
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District 2 board member Dionne Hoskins-Brown said paying people a livable wage would make it easier for the district to hire and keep employees.
The local pay increase comesin addition to the $2,000 pay raise for teachers from the 2023 Georgia state budget signed byGov. Brian Kemp. The teacher pay raise is not related to the increased millage rate, but is included in the district's budget, Cooley said.
Budget breakdown
The district's largest pool of revenues and expenditures is captured inthe generaloperating budget at$504.3 million, which makes up 63.7% of the district's total budget.
Thegeneral operating budget, which covers the day-to-day operating costs including salaries and benefits of teachers and staff,is comprisedoflocal (68.05),state (31.31%) and federal revenues (.64%)
Next, teacher salaries, transportation, the one-time employee bonus, stateQuality Basic Education Act (QBE)formularevenue and other state fundsmake up the district's state revenues.
The QBE formula from the Georgia Department of Education fundingis determined by student enrollment, training and experience of certified staff and health insurance eligibility of certified staff. Cooley said since there was a decrease in student enrollment the district will receive less funding from the state.
Federal revenue includes federal grants like the one-timeEmergency Connectivity Fund ECF ERATE grant. The districtreceived the grantto cover the electronic devices provided to students during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Cooley said the district lost $4.17 million in federal aid because the grantit is not a recurring source of funding.
The special revenuesfundbudget represents25.21% of the total district budget and is comprised of state and federal grants.This budget includes CARES ACT, American RescuePlan Act fundsand other federal programs, such as Title I monies and special education dollars.
Capital funds make up10.61%of the total budget. Capitalprojects includeESPLOST III and IV, new facilities,additions to existing facilities, safety and security improvements, school renovations, technology improvements, buses and bond debt re-educations.
A small part of theoverall budget comes from internal revenue services, which include workers' compensation at .50%.
Important dates
The district will hold public hearings on the millagerate at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.,June 15 atthe Whitney AvenueComplex. A third public hearing on the millagerate will be held at 6 p.m., June 22 at the Whitney Complex.
The district will adopt a final millage rate and budget during a special called board meeting at 6 p.m., June 22.
Bianca Moorman is the education reporter. Reach her at BMoorman@gannett.com or 912-239-7706. Find her on Twitter @biancarmoorman.
