The Daviess County Public School Board of Education members reported during a regular luncheon meeting Tuesday that they won’t be seeking a general raise for staff salaries in next year’s budget because of COVID-19.
Sara Harley, DCPS director of finance, presented a tentative 2020-21 budget that also won’t see an increase in the property tax rate.
“There are tough times ahead,” she said.
Board Chair Tom Payne said if there was a time when DCPS staff deserved a raise, then this upcoming school year would be it, “but these are uncertain times.”
Superintendent Matt Robbins said that no DCPS employee had to go without a paycheck during COVID-19, and he wants to keep it that way.
“We’re proud of the ability to do that, but in order for us to continue to be able to make that offering to our employees it’s very prudent for us to be thinking conservatively at this point, knowing that we could be working on a very reduced budget next school year,” he said.
Employees due a step raise because of an increase in experience will still receive them.
DCPS is looking to hire a performing arts coordinator to help expand the school district’s fine arts program. Amy Shutt, assistant superintendent for human services, said existing funds will be used for this added position.
“The main purpose of this position will be to work with all of our fine art teachers and expand the program,” Shutt said.
Robbins said this role has in the past been either part-time or not a priority.
“This is a very symbolic but yet an important visible step that this district is making in terms of elevating our fine arts and performing arts programs throughout Daviess County Public Schools,” he said.
DCPS is hoping to bring students back to in-person classrooms at the earliest Aug. 5 and the latest Aug. 26. The first day of school is scheduled for Aug. 12, but DCPS is evaluating and looking to the state for guidance on a definite date.
