Escambia board approves 4 percent hike
School personnel will receive a state-mandated 4 percent raise after the Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education voted to approve starting the pay raise this month at it's meeting on Thursday, June 27.
Chief Financial Officer Julie Madden told board members the unreserved fund balance of $12.88 million which equates to 4.12 months of operating reserve. She said financials had been reconciled through May 31, 2019.
“As we get into the summer months, when we are doing the summer maintenance, we do expect to be spending more, so that number will continue to go down a little bit,” said Madden.
Knott reminded the board of upcoming current projects finalizations and payouts that will effect the balance.
Madden said the pay raise for Superintendent John Knott will take effect Oct. 1, 2019 and will have to be a separate agenda item, although it takes effect for other school personnel July, 2019. The board approved to start the 4 percent raise in July at its last board meeting, with the exception of the superintendent.
According to AL.com, the increase would take starting pay for a teacher with a bachelor's degree to $40,873.
In a motion made by board member Coleman Wallace and seconded by David Nolin, the motion carried.
Superintendent Knott told the board said he plans a workshop in the future to discuss upcoming items that will effect education, such as recently passed laws regarding emergency certificates and criteria for that, the third grade literacy act that just passed and its requirements, and other aspects of education that will effect the planning, assessment guidelines, and outcomes. He said there are many unanswered questions and that he encourages his educational staff to have their voices heard to elected officials who make decisions that will effect education.
The next scheduled board meeting will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 25, at the Brewton central office.
