The Knox County schools board has unanimously approved a $684 million budget for the upcoming year, marking a historic investment in teacher and staff salary increases despite the loss of pandemic-related federal aid. This budget, which represents a 3.5% increase over the current budget, now awaits approval from the Knox County Commission.
During the budget approval process, board member Jennifer Owen raised concerns about the reduction of 20 custodian positions, noting the challenges in finding and retaining custodial staff. Superintendent Jon Rysewyk explained that these positions have long been vacant, leading to understaffing in the custodial department.
In addition to the operating budget, the board also approved a capital budget of $99.7 million and a nutrition budget of $32.8 million. The budget includes several highlights, such as a $1.3 million investment in 865 Academies, $3.5 million for English language learner support positions, and $2.7 million for educational assistants in special education classrooms.
One of the key aspects of the budget is the salary increases for teachers and staff, which will bring salaries closer to market rates starting July 1. This move aims to attract and retain educators and staffers by addressing a 9% pay gap identified in a recent study. The new salary schedule will set a starting salary of over $47,000 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and around $50,700 for those with a master’s degree.
Community input played a significant role in shaping the budget, with 2,032 responses received through surveys. The community’s top priority was for the budget to be people-centered, reflecting the district’s commitment to meeting the needs of students, parents, employees, and the wider community.