Big Pay Raises Proposed for CCSD Teachers in New Budget

Big Pay Raises Proposed for CCSD Teachers in New Budget

In Charleston, the Charleston County School District (CCSD) board of trustees is advancing a proposed budget for the 2024-25 financial year that would see Charleston teachers get a significant pay boost. The $848 million budget puts a $7,500 increase in teacher salaries at its forefront. If ratified, the district would hold the accolade of the highest pay for teachers within the state.

Details of the Proposed 2024-25 Budget

The total proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year stands at $847.5 million, with 69% of this amount dedicated to personnel and salaries. If approved, this budget would represent a nearly 20% increase over the previous year’s budget. Alongside the wage hike for teachers, other school staff—including clerks, classroom support staff, and teacher assistants—are set to benefit from a 6% pay raise. District officials said achieving pay rates that are 100% of market value for non-teachers has been a goal of the district for over ten years.

Impact on Taxes

The proposed budget also encompasses a 3.9 mill rate increase on operating millage. However, according to CCSD spokesman Andy Pruitt, this increase would not impact property taxes for primary residences. Instead, he argues that the increase would actually diminish taxes for primary residences by $12 for every $100,000 of taxable value.

Weighted Student Formula Proposed

As part of the budget, the CCSD Superintendent Anita Huggins proposed implementing a weighted student formula in March. This innovative model aims to delegate additional funding to schools based on specific student needs. These needs include multilingual learners, special needs students, and pupils in poverty. Should the plan gain approval, Charleston County would be the first school district within South Carolina to embrace this model.

Upcoming Considerations for the Budget

The proposed budget, including the substantial raise for teacher salaries, is currently up for consideration by the Board of Trustees. If approved, the CCSD will likely make a significant stride towards improved compensation for its teachers and staff members, setting milestones for the wider state of South Carolina.