
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools
Superintendent
Dr.
LaTanya
D.
McDade
shared
the
proposed
PWCS
Fiscal
Year
2023
Budget.
The
budget
invests
$61
million
to
provide
teachers
and
staff
with
a
4.2
percent
cost
of
living
adjustment
and
a
step
increase,
resulting
in
an
average
pay
increase
of
7
percent
for
most
employees.
"We
began
our
budget
development
process
this
year
with
a
commitment
to
align
our
investments
with
the
priorities
and
outcomes
outlined
in
the
PWCS
Vision
2025,
Launching
Thriving
Futures
Strategic
Plan,"
said
Superintendent
McDade.
"As
a
result,
I
am
excited
to
share
that
the
Fiscal
Year
2023
Superintendent's
Budget
includes
significant
investments
focused
on
supporting
our
classrooms
and
students."
The
budget
includes
an
additional
$20
million
to
make
market-based
improvements
to
certified/instructional
and
classified
employee
pay
scales.
As
a
result
of
these
adjustments,
PWCS
salaries
will
be
more
competitive.
These
increases
will
be
targeted
primarily
at
early
and
mid-career
steps
on
our
scale,
where
PWCS
has
the
least
parity
with
other
school
divisions
competing
for
talent.
As
such,
some
instructional
and
certified
staff
will
see
increases
above
7
percent.
In
total,
the
budget
invests
nearly
$10
million
in
additional
special
education
resources.
This
includes
the
proposed
addition
of
100
full-time
special
education
assistants,
who
will
provide
much-needed
support
for
the
most
vulnerable
students.
In
addition,
the
budget
includes
the
hiring
of
13
assistive
technology
specialists.
These
experts
are
critical
to
supporting
student
voice
and
engagement
in
the
classroom.
The
proposal
also
includes
the
addition
of
88
full-time
kindergarten
teaching
assistants
to
support
the
critical
development
of
early
learners.
In
support
of
families,
the
budget
includes
the
addition
of
35
parent
liaisons,
with
the
long-term
goal
of
having
at
least
one
for
every
school
in
the
next
four
years.
This
budget
also
includes
five
additional
social
worker
positions,
and
additional
language
translations
support.
Additionally,
to
support
students
and
families
with
post-secondary
planning,
and
career
and
technical
education
opportunities,
the
budget
adds
15
career
counselors.
Having
safe
and
healthy
schools
is
fundamental.
In
support
of
this,
the
budget
proposes
the
hiring
of
29
security
specialists
along
with
infrastructure
upgrades
of
cameras
and
emergency
systems.
It
also
includes
the
hiring
of
an
additional
14
nurses
to
further
bolster
this
critical
role
and
reduce
high
student/nurse
ratios.
The
total
PWCS
Fiscal
Year
2023
operating
revenue
will
increase
by
about
$173.1
million
or
14.1
percent
over
Fiscal
Year
2022.
Prince
William
County
revenue
to
the
PWCS
Operating
Fund
will
be
about
$50.6
million
more
than
Fiscal
Year
2022,
an
increase
of
9.2
percent.
State
revenue
will
be
about
$121.6
million
more
than
Fiscal
Year
2022,
an
increase
of
19.9
percent.
The
proposal
also
includes
funding
for
the
PWCS
Capital
Improvements
Program
(CIP)
that
focuses
on
the
need
for
new
facilities
and
additions
to
address
growth.
The
CIP
also
funds
multiple
renovation
projects
and
advances
PWCS
sustainability
goals.
The
budget
funds
the
resources
needed
at
the
central
level
to
operate
more
efficiently
and
effectively
in
support
of
schools
to
advance
academic
progress.
As
the
largest
employer
in
Prince
William
County,
recruiting,
onboarding,
and
supporting
employees
requires
an
adequate
number
of
human
resources,
finance,
and
support
staff
to
provide
timely
and
systematic
support.
There
are
multiple
opportunities
for
stakeholders
to
hear
more
about
the
proposed
budget
and
provide
feedback.
The
School
Board
has
scheduled
a
public
meeting
on
February
7,
a
public
hearing
on
February
16,
and
two
work
sessions.
The
School
Board
will
consider
approval
of
the
budget
on
March
16.
The
Board
of
County
Supervisors
will
consider
the
budget
before
May
1.