Fayette cuts pay for school employees

Most Fayette County school system employees will see a 4.5 percent pay cut starting next fall, the county school board decided Thursday night.

The board voted unanimously for the cut to close a $14.5 million budget shortfall that has also prompted it to cut more than 150 positions.

The board also decided against raising the cost of benefits, with members arguing that would disproportionately affect lower-salaried workers.

The pay cut will not apply to about 10 employees whose work years have been reduced and 65 nationally certified teachers who have lost the salary premium that went with the special certification.

The system has about 21,300 students, spokeswoman Melinda Berry-Dreisbach said.