PICAYUNE —
Picayune teachers and other staff members should receive step pay increases next year, following some debate on the matter during Tuesday’s meeting of the Picayune Municipal Separate School District.
Two board members did not want to approve the pay increases until the board was presented with a budget plan that showed the district would not have to dip into its fund balance during the coming fiscal year.
Board members Jimmy Hancock and Ray Scott both expressed concern about approving supplements and pay scales for the next school year, saying they wanted to see what the next fiscal year’s budget would look like first. Scott cited the district’s overspending of $1.2 million during the last fiscal year’s budget as his basis for concern. While Scott said the board plans to reduce the budget by $800,000, he said that will leave $400,000 in excess expenses.
District Finance Director Lisa Penton said according to her preliminary estimates the district should be fine financially, even if the pay increases, which are mandatory, are approved by the board. Superintendent Dean Shaw said the State Board of Education mandates an incremental increase in pay for teachers, coaches, music teachers and department chairpersons for their years of experience, and the state has given the Picayune school district about $476,000 to use as it sees fit, which could include the pay increases.
Both Scott and Hancock also had reservations about providing pay increases for other district staff members until the proposed budget could be reviewed. Penton said she expected to have a proposed budget ready for the board’s review by the next meeting.
Hancock made a motion to table both pay raise proposals until the budget could be reviewed, with Scott seconding both motions. However, board members Edward Stubbs, Frank Feeley and Patti Stewart all voted against tabling the raises.
Afterwards, Feeley made motions to move forward with both pay increases, each of which was approved on a 3-2 vote. Scott and Hancock voted against the motions, Stubbs, Feeley and Stewart voted for the motions.
Technology Applications may no longer offered at the Picayune Vocational and Technical Center. Instead, the course could be replaced with Robotics and Engineering in an effort to increase interest in science- and technology-based careers. Assistant Superintendent Brent Harrell asked the board if the district could apply for a 2013 Engineering Enhancement for the 21st Century grant, worth $150,000. That grant would help fund the course change.
If the grant is secured, then the current Technology Applications teacher would remain on staff, taking up the new Robotics and Engineering class, Harrell said. The board approved applying for the grant. If the grant is approved, the new class would not be offered until the 2014-2015 school year
next board meeting will be June 12, at 5:30 p.m.
Local News
School board approves step raises
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