CMS seeking $70 million more from taxpayers than last year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is seeking $70 million more from county taxpayers than last year.

Superintendent Clayton Wilcox presented his $1.6 billion budget Tuesday night. The budget includes a request of $529.8 million from the county, which is a 15 percent increase from last year.

"There is not one thing we asked for in this that we don't believe we need," Wilcox said.

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The budget request includes more than $32 million in staff investments, including $8 million to bring the teacher pay supplement to the highest in the state.

Click here for a link to the proposed budget.

The superintendent said the additional cash for salaries will result in a modest, but noticeable impact.

"It is not life-changing money but money that moves us in the right direction for our teachers," Wilcox said.

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As part of a $22 million student investment package, the budget calls for millions to help fund 27 new social workers, 10 counselors, 10 psychologists and -- for elementary schools -- 25 school resource officers.

Some on the school board questioned whether school resource officers are needed for kids that young.

"I just haven't seen evidence that school resource officers in elementary schools make schools safer," board member Carol Sawyer said.

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The budget request will now go to the county commissioners, who will determine how much will be funded and whether a tax increase will be needed to pay for it.

Commissioner Vilma Leake said it is too early to guess how much the school district will get, but she backs CMS.

"Let me talk to some of my county commissioners but (CMS has) my support," Leake said.

Also included in the budget is $1.1 million to provide transportation for Pre-K and homeless students. There are more than 4,000 homeless students in CMS.

As for the timeline, the board will vote on the budget in April and commissioners will decide how much money they'll give CMS by June.

Cox Media Group