MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County School Board voted to approve their school budget for the upcoming school year.
The budget now heads to the Shelby County Commission where the board will ask for $27.4 million.
It’s unclear when the County Commission will vote on the budget.
Board members approve a budget resolution seeking additional funding from the Shelby County Commission to close $27.4M gap.
— Shelby Co. Schools (@SCSK12Unified) May 16, 2016
Earlier in the evening, the meeting began with the board voting on whether or not to include Carver High School in the discussion tonight.
According to WREG’s Wayne Carter, community members have a plan to help save the school.
The board wants to hear from Superintendent Dorsey Hopson before making a decision on whether to close it or not.
It’s unclear at this time when that school will be discussed.
The board voted to close Messick Adult High School and Memphis Health Careers Academy.
Northside High School will also be closing, but amended the closing date to the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
Alumni Association President Eric Dunn celebrated the board’s vote.
He told WREG even though it was a vote to close the school, that still gives them time to add programs and receive donations to change the board’s mind.
Meeting documents show the district’s total budget to operate next school year is about $1.3 billion.
On Wednesday, SCS released an updated draft of its budget for the 2016-2017 school year, which included a $10.8 million raise for teachers.
That equates to a three percent raise.
Still, SCS employees could see some changes to their benefits.
A SCS presentation last week showed SCS narrowed its budget gap from $36 million to $27 million, partially because Shelby County is investing $8 million for next school year and state BEP projections suggest the district will receive more state funding than originally thought.
Also, the addition of planned school closures would cut costs.
Last week, SCS told board members they ought to request $35 million from the county, because “the district retains only $0.78 for every additional dollar received from the county.”
The district is adding back several items to the proposed budget that were initially on the table to be cut.
Under the current proposal, SCS will keep the non-mandated CLUE teacher positions for the non-mandated gifted and talented program for pre-K through second grade.
A section of iZone schools will keep its extra hour in the school day.
SCS would keep iZone reading teachers.
The district would not cut guidance counselors.
The district would also keep 20 facility managers.
Under the proposed budget, the district said a total of 183 central office positions would be cut.
Of the 183 positions, 61 positions are currently filled.
