Sullivan County Schools pay raises still on the table after budget committee meeting
BLOUNTVILEE, Tenn. (WJHL) — A plan to fund 15% pay raises using the school system’s general fund passed the Sullivan County Commission’s budget committee, garnering applause from the small committee room packed with Sullivan County Schools employees.
“I’m excited for our folks, for our maintenance workers, our teachers, our teacher assistants, our cafeteria workers, everyone in Sullivan County, that this is going to impact their daily lives,” Director of Schools Chuck Carter told News Channel 11 just minutes after the 7-1 vote.
The proposal, adopted at a Wednesday night Board of Education meeting, would allow the school system to use $6.8 million of its fund balance to cover across-the-board pay raises for all school employees. According to estimates from the county finance office, the general fund will likely total $35 million at the end of the fiscal year.
Sullivan County BOE approves pay raise from fund balance
However, county commissioners and staff pointed out that using the fund balance for a recurring expense could drain the general fund.
“It’s not recommended to necessarily do that,” County Finance Director Larry Bailey said in the meeting.
Commissioner Samuel Jones was among a handful of committee members who said they had called the comptroller’s office about their worries about the move. Jones said he had heard estimates that the fund balance was growing at a rate of about $5 million each year and that continuing to use the fund balance to cover salaries would eventually deplete it.
“There’s some concern,” Jones said.
Commissioner David Akard, the sole vote against the school’s proposal, said using the fund balance could prevent the county budget from achieving the necessary certification from the comptroller’s office.
“There’s some discussion in the comptroller’s office as to whether that will happen,” Akard said.
Carter acknowledged those concerns but said he hopes the district and commission can find a more permanent solution.
“I hope we can partner with our funding body, and they’ll step up next year,” Carter said.
The school’s budget and all other departments’ budgets still have to be approved by the full commission.
Carter said his presentation before the full commission had not been scheduled.
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