Pay Increases, New Positions Factor Into Prince William County Schools Budget Proposal

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Despite an expected decline in enrollment, staff pay increases and other initiatives are contributing to a proposed budget increase at Prince William County Public Schools.

Superintendent LaTanya McDade presented her $1.89 billion PWCS operating budget proposal and the 10-year capital budget update to the Prince William County School Board on Wednesday. According to the budget presentation, the proposal represents a $111.3 million increase from the current year's budget.

"Each year, our budget is driven by the strategic priorities set forth in our long-term plan," said McDade in a news release. "We are focused on investing in people, programs, and initiatives that directly enhance student achievement and well-being."

An $83.2 million increase for staff pay is the biggest factor in the higher budget proposal. The budget would put into place the first year of a two-year wage agreement totaling $160 million. The agreement made with the Prince William Education Association had been an unresolved item from the collective bargaining agreement. Under the agreement, staff will get an average 7 percent pay increase in the first year and 6.4 percent in the second year, as well as pay scale adjustments and supplements at or above the regional median.

Another $46.7 million is proposed for other initiatives. The bulk of that is $28.9 million for 50 special education teacher assistants to provide individualized support, reducing English learner student-teacher ratios to meet state standards with 39.3 full-time positions, 15 full-time behavioral specialists for classroom management and interventions, eight graduation coaches to mentor at-risk students, five school psychologists and five kindergarten teacher assistants.

Another $9.3 million in investments would include 33 deans of students at every high school and middle school for enforcement of the student code of behavior, expansion of the PWCS-VCU Apprentice Program to train future teachers, three more social workers, 2.5 security assistants, classified learning and development, and the iTeach Alternative Pathway to Teacher Li censure. The superintendent is also proposing $865,000 for 20 school bus attendants, $1.2 million for the PWCS Student Teacher Program to provide hands-on experience for future teachers, $223,000 for five more car/van drivers and $177,000 for a transportation liaison to help families with transportation concerns and a website customer service chatbot.

The budget proposal accounts for enrollment expected to drop from 88,239 in last year's approved budget to 86,415. However, PWCS has seen a five-year trend of students with special needs increasing 11.3 percent, economically disadvantaged students increasing 14.9 percent and English learners increasing 23.3 percent.

Combined with an $11.8 million decrease tied to declining enrollment and $6.8 million in other decreases, that equals out to a $111.3 million budget increase.

About 46.9 percent of the PWCS budget comes from the county transfer, and state aid provides 40.6 percent. The remainder is a mix of sales tax revenue, federal aid, and other sources.

A public meeting on the budget is planned on Feb. 10, and a public hearing will follow on Feb. 19. The budget mark up will be held on March 12, followed by budget approval on March 19. Meanwhile, the county budget will be proposed on Feb. 18. The school board will present its budget to the Board of County Supervisors on April 1, and the county board will approve the budget on April 22.