The Cherokee County School Board has approved a budget for the new school year with a $481 million general fund that the district says ensures continued classroom size reductions, new efforts to help at-risk students and a $3,000 raise for certified employees.
The budget also contains a 2% raise for classified employees, annual longevity step increases for eligible employees, and increases in starting teacher pay and salaries for such positions as police officers, the district said. The millage rate remains steady, and construction debt is to be paid down.
The budget also contains funds to hire the district's first two mental health counselors, in line with recommendations of an ad hoc committee on social and emotional learning. To view the committee's report: https://bit.ly/2N5teQ1
District Superintendent Brian V. Hightower said it's clear that stress related to school can have detrimental effects on students' health and well-being. "We want them to be challenged, but we also want them to be healthy," he said. Information: https://bit.ly/31NkyRt
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