Guilford County School Board requests quarter-cent sales tax ballot referendum to increase educator pay

When it comes to the amount of local dollars spent per student, Guilford County Schools ranks low compared to districts of a similar size. 

"And our current ranking may slide further behind if the proposed budget recommendation is approved by the county commissioners," said Superintendent Whitney Oakley at a meeting on Tuesday. 

Oakley says the Guilford County manager’s budget recommendation, which falls millions short of the district’s request, would substantially impact operations. 

She says the current proposal would not support raises for teachers and staff or security equipment like emergency radios and metal detectors. Additionally, the county budget only allocates $2.5 million for the district’s capital projects — the lowest investment in more than a decade. 

Deputy Superintendent of Business and Operations Julius Monk says without more funding there could be issues with heating, cooling and buildings falling apart.

“Additionally, without that proper funding, then you're looking at more emergencies, more time out of school and less instruction that's going to be happening," Monk said.

The Board of Education is requesting the county commissioners add a quarter-cent sales tax ballot referendum to increase educator pay. But several school board members, including T. Dianne Bellamy-Small, called the lack of funding from the county unacceptable.  

“I just want folks to know that the quarter-cent sales tax is just a ruse. It's not what needs to happen," she said. "What needs to happen is your county commissioners need to step up and pay for public education. And I don't care if they don't like what I say, I'm gonna say it anyway.”

When the budget was presented last week, County Manager Michael Halford said the district’s funding request couldn’t be supported without eliminating several departments. 

The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the budget in June.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.