School Safety & Teacher Raises Priorities in Proposed CMS Budget
CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent is asking for millions of dollars in new funding to keep your children safe and give teachers raises.
Dr. Clayton Wilcox presented his $1.6 Billion plan to the school board Wednesday night. He wants the county to kick in near $40 Million more than last year.
Wilcox says his budget is focused on achieving upward mobility and equity for students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
βThis budget is not just a budget request, it is literally a call to action,” Wilcox says.
Top on the Superintendent’s list of priorities is safe schools.
Wilcox is asking County Commissioners for more than $9 million dollars to:
- Harden doors
- Add glass reinforcementΒ and tinted security film
- Fencing, perimeter, and access controls
- Camera & monitoring controls
- In-classroom cameras
It’s a topic students have raised concerns about.
16-year-old Luke Drago helped organize a walkout at Ardrey Kell High School last month.
“One of the most important things I think we need to be hitting is, we need to be hitting the presence of security guards,” Drago says.
The Wilcox request does ask for five new police officers.
β…but also invest money in the mental health and well being of our students,” Drago adds.
Wilcox is asking for $4.4 Million Dollars for:
- 33 Counselors
- 17 Social Workers
- 10 School Psychologists
Wilcox says teacher raises are also very important in keeping CMS competitive.
He proposes:
- A 7 % raise for teachers, which would cost $6.9 Million
- A 3 % raise for administrators and non-certified staff & aΒ 7 % raise for certified staff, which would cost $11 Million.
School board members seemed to like what they were heard.
“There’s no fluff in this, this is a strategic budget that will make a big difference for our children and our educators,” school board member Elyse Dashew said.
