There are still raises in the proposed budget for teachers but they won’t be what was first hoped for as budgeting concerns has forced school officials to slash the increases by more than half.

Under the present plan, heard by the board of education during its regular meeting this past week, it was agreed to adjust the request for raises to $600 per certified employee. Added with a $600 increase being kicked in by the state, it will figure out to a $1,200 raise for every teacher. While the raises remain alive, these are significantly less than Director of Schools Patrick Cripps had requested from the county commission a couple of weeks ago.

During his appearance before committee, Cripps, following an endorsement by the board of education, asked the county to contribute $2,400 for every teacher and $1,500 for all support personnel. The numbers would have meant teachers could expect a $3,000 raise when county and state money was combined. Cripps told commissioners that the raises were needed to counteract increases in insurance premiums. He also pointed out DeKalb County is not competitive in its pay rate for teachers.

The original $3,000 raise request fell on sympathetic ears in committee but commissioners pointed out there is only so much money to go around and that other county officials were asking for increases in various areas.

Given the budget committee’s forewarning the requested money would not be available this year, Cripps returned to the board of education Thursday and the numbers were adjusted. The new plan will be presented to committee this week.

The proposed school budget for the 2018-19 year now sets at $23,217,059, up $890,000 from the year before.