What will the new budget for St. Tammany public schools be for 2022-2023 school year?
The new proposed budget for the 2022-2023 school year is $488 million.
The St. Tammany public school has announced a new budget for 2022-2023 which amounts to $488 million. The larger budget is in part of the recent salary hikes, 40 new school buses and expanded mental health services for students and staff and increase funding for school security.
The salary hikes are $20.8 million on staff salaries and benefits. The parish teachers union and the school system finally agreed to the pay boost. The money will come from the district’s general operating fund. Supplementing the general fund is the district’s special revenue budget, which includes federal aid schools received to make up for losses sustained during the coronavirus pandemic. The district has until September 2023 to spend the $114 million in federal allotment and so far have already spent $37 million.
Along with putting funds toward professional development for health providers, they will also be putting it towards starting a new positive behavior intiative. The program is called “Leader in Me.” This is a social-emotional learning initiative that seeks to help students manage their emotions and maintain relationships.
As for ramping up security, the district will spend 4% over last year which will total a school security fund of $8.9 million. This will cover salaries and benefits for security employees which include secuirty officers, law enforcment officers who work at schools and mental health profiders.
The 40 new school buses will be delivered in Decemeber of this year. With the new buses, the number of district-owned buses will double. Revenue from FEMA-administered community disaster fund grants will cover the costs. In the past, independent bus owners and operators have been used. The school district will be able to cut back on hiring indpendent buses and drivers.
“Last year we had over 300 drivers. This year, the number of bus owners/operators is between 240-250,” said Wichers.
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