School Board Approves Final Budget, 3 Percent Raises

The Anne Arundel County Board of Education approved its final operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2014, and shifted around some funds to allow for 3 percent raises for all school employees.

The board approved the operating budget of $1.004 billion, and found $6 million in cost savings in order to allow for the pay increases.

The Anne Arundel County Council approved the budget figure earlier this month, but it called for 2 percent raises. The school board was not permitted to increase the total budget to allow for raises, but was permitted to seek cost savings elsewhere.

To find the money, the board cut $3 million from its Single Textbook Adoption program, $300,000 in stipends and the use of substitutes, $575,000 in bus contractors, $250,000 in instructional data systems and $90,000 in professional development, among other cuts. 

“This is a responsible, rational budget," board president Andrew Pruski said. "It was a tough year, but we’re doing the right thing for our students.”

The board also approved a capital budget of $136,751,600.00

The school board also ratified its contracts with four employee groups, including all teachers, effective July 1. Teachers will receive a 1 percent across-the-board raise in July and a salary step in January. The new contract with teachers will run through 2015.