Negotiated union contracts and the FY2013 budget were approved by the Charles County Board of Education during a teleconference on Thursday afternoon. The budget provides salary increases to employees. The total budget is $315.6 million.
The negotiated agreements with the Education Association of Charles County (EACC) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2981 were approved on a 4-2 vote with Board Member Michael Lukas abstaining. Board members Jennifer Abell and Patricia Bowie dissented.
The approval will allow for a $4.4 million total step pay increase for teachers. Charles County Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly (D) told TheBAYNET Thursday night that she would like to see the teachers get more. EACC President Elizabeth Brown was not available for comment Wednesday afternoon due to other commitments.
The budget and the FY2013 tuition rates were approved unanimously. Paul Balides, Charles County Public assistant superintendent for finance, business administration and technology, said that the cost of hiring a new superintendent wouldn’t impact the FY2013 budget and also said that they were planning to reapportion funds to bring back the Summer Reading Academy in the FY2014 budget.
Tuition rates for out of county and out of state residents were also increased. The tuition rate for out of county residents was set at $6,925 while tuition for out of state residents was set at $11,200.
A complete copy of the Charles County Board of Education FY2013 budget can be downloaded at: http://www.andymarquis.com/docs/BOETeacher%20Recruitment11.pdf
