[0:17] I want to thank
you for being here.
[0:19] Tonight we will be presenting
our FY twenty seven funding
[0:23] request before we get started.
[0:24] Ms.
[0:26] Paul, would you
please call roll?
[0:28] Yes ma'am.
[0:30] Ms. Blackwell? Here. Doctor.
Chase? Here. Ms. Davis?
[0:35] Here. Ms. Finkerholtz?
Here. Ms. Healy?
[0:38] Here. Mr. Koreshi?
[0:40] Here.
[0:40] Ms. Randle? Here. Mr. Regan is
absent. Doctor. Warner? Here.
[0:44] Madam Chair, you have a quorum.
[0:45] Thank you.
[0:47] So the school board presents
representing our funding request,
[0:52] and the school budget
represents one of the largest
[0:55] expenditures for the county.
[0:57] Next Tuesday, they will be voting
on the advertised tax rate,
[1:00] and I'm sorry they couldn't
deliver a quorum to us tonight,
[1:03] but I do want to thank
mister English, miss Evans,
[1:06] and miss Guy for being here
to listen to the presentation.
[1:09] I also want to thank our staff
for turning this presentation
[1:12] around as quickly as they did.
[1:14] We only voted on
the budget Tuesday.
[1:18] So before I begin,
[1:21] I want to thank this
Board of Supervisors for fully funding
[1:26] our three priorities last year.
[1:29] Prior to last year,
[1:30] we had over nine million each
year in deferred funding,
[1:33] causing us to fall behind.
[1:35] Your investment allowed us to
proactively address critical
[1:38] repair, renovation, and
replacement on our three r list
[1:42] to maintain safe, functional,
[1:44] and high quality learning environments
for our students and staff.
[1:47] The funding was not
about expansion.
[1:50] It was about protecting and
preserving the infrastructure
[1:52] we have already built
together as a community.
[1:55] We look forward to a continued
partnership in maintaining
[1:58] these assets as good stewards
of our resources and to
[2:01] avoid more costly emergency
repairs in the future.
[2:04] We are grateful for your
commitment to long term
[2:06] planning and infrastructure
sustainability.
[2:09] As
[2:13] you watch this drone footage,
[2:14] you can see firsthand the
progress being made on
[2:19] our new schools.
[2:23] These projects represent
careful planning,
[2:25] strong oversight,
[2:27] and a shared commitment to meeting
the needs of our community.
[2:30] Despite significant
construction market challenges,
[2:33] including inflation,
supply chain pressures,
[2:36] we have worked diligently to
control costs and identify
[2:40] savings through processes.
[2:42] We are currently under
budget and on time.
[2:47] Through strategic bid
timing, value engineering,
[2:51] and close project management,
[2:53] we have been able to reduce
the expenses while maintaining
[2:56] quality and safety standards.
[2:59] We should note that there is no state
funding provided to open new schools.
[3:03] While construction is funded
through capital dollars,
[3:06] cost to staff and operate
these buildings falls on the
[3:10] local and operational budget.
[3:15] Opening them ensures we can
provide appropriate class
[3:18] sizes, safe learning
environments,
[3:20] and access to programs
across the division.
[3:30] Stafford Schools continues to
demonstrate strong academic
[3:34] performance and
regional leadership.
[3:36] We are home to three of
the top five elementary schools and the
[3:40] top ranked middle school.
[3:42] All Stafford schools
are fully accredited.
[3:45] Four of our five high
schools earned the state's
[3:47] distinguished designation
reflecting achievement,
[3:50] graduation rates, attendance,
and student engagement.
[3:54] It is the highest
recognition available.
[3:56] One high school that narrowly
missed this designation did so
[4:00] only by seven
tenths of one point.
[4:03] Our English learners are
showing significant growth.
[4:07] Stafford Schools earned
thirteen of the top fifteen
[4:11] positions in the region for
English learning progress.
[4:14] Overall, our standards of learning
assessments improved this year,
[4:18] including twenty percent
increase in World History two,
[4:21] gains in geometry, and
of course reading, Virginia,
[4:24] and US history.
[4:25] And our students are outperforming
state averages in key areas.
[4:30] These results show that our
investments are producing
[4:32] measurable results in academic performance
for students and the community.
[4:38] But there's still work to do.
[4:40] Our elementary and middle
schools are progressing but
[4:42] need additional support
and investment to achieve
[4:45] distinguished designation.
[4:47] We have two schools in need of
intensive support and several
[4:49] schools that have been
identified as off track.
[4:52] We are working closely with
those schools to provide the
[4:55] planning and resources
they need to excel.
[5:02] As we look ahead, Stafford,
[5:04] like many other
school divisions,
[5:05] faces complex challenges.
[5:10] Our district is currently
ranked one hundred and twenty
[5:14] one out of one hundred and
thirty two for state funding.
[5:17] This demonstrates that
despite less funding,
[5:19] we continue to make
progress for our students.
[5:21] Local support is critical to
bridge these funding gaps and
[5:24] maintain educational quality.
[5:26] Maintaining these costs
while remaining regionally
[5:29] competitive is a
growing challenge.
[5:31] This requires competitive
salaries, benefits,
[5:33] and professional growth
opportunities that are key to
[5:36] attracting and keeping
high quality educators.
[5:39] But we also need to address
the rising costs of health care
[5:42] that impacts our ability to
fund instructional programs and
[5:45] other priorities.
[5:47] It's important to remember that
among almost three quarters of
[5:50] Stafford County Public School
employees work and live in
[5:54] Stafford, meaning local
investment supports not only
[5:56] students, but the community's
workforce and economy.
[6:00] Most of the students who attend
our new schools are already here.
[6:04] Our high schools were operating
above one hundred percent
[6:06] capacity and many of our
elementary schools were
[6:08] approaching one hundred percent.
[6:10] These schools are not
expansions for future growth.
[6:13] They are necessary solutions
to current overcrowding.
[6:16] Some of our student
populations continue to grow,
[6:19] including students with special
needs and English language learners.
[6:22] Supporting these students
requires resources,
[6:24] specialized staff,
and targeted programs.
[6:27] We are often required to
meet unfunded mandates for
[6:30] compliance with state
and federal law.
[6:33] For example, the Virginia
Literacy Act requires that
[6:36] every student be
reading at grade level.
[6:40] While the statewide
priority is important,
[6:42] but implementation requires
training, instructional
[6:45] resources, and ongoing monitor
to support struggling readers.
[6:49] Taken together, these major needs
show that while we are making strong
[6:52] academic progress, sustained
investment is required to
[6:56] maintain and meet
our student needs.
[6:59] This budget, next slide.
[7:03] Whoops.
[7:04] This budget directly addresses
our key priorities to our
[7:08] students, family and community.
[7:10] Attract and retain
high quality staff,
[7:13] ensuring our schools maintain
competitive and our students
[7:15] have excellent teachers,
secure resources to improve
[7:20] performance, support
programs interventions,
[7:23] and maintain safe high quality
facilities that provide
[7:25] students with an enriching
safe classroom environment.
[7:29] We are now I would
like to introduce
[7:32] Doctor.
[7:32] Smith to present
our funding request,
[7:34] but first I'd like to remind
the Board of Supervisors that
[7:37] our funding request this
year is lower than it was our
[7:40] original ask last year.
[7:43] Doctor Smith?
[7:44] Good afternoon.
[7:45] Before starting, I I would like to thank mister
Ashton for his partnership and collaboration.
[7:50] Our county administrator is in
a tough position to consider
[7:53] the needs of the county and
develop a budget proposal.
[7:55] I can share that he
know that he understands the commitment
[7:58] our county made to our new schools
and our exist existing schools,
[8:02] and he's been a great advocate and
supporter of our work to be one Stafford.
[8:06] Each year, we utilize a
zero based budget approach
[8:09] and I can set share that
something that's not common
[8:12] across Virginia
school divisions.
[8:14] But it is important for us to
take this approach to ensure
[8:18] that we are being as
strategic, intentional,
[8:20] and efficient as possible.
[8:22] As you can see on this slide,
[8:24] our total anticipated revenue
for FY twenty seven is forty
[8:28] one point one
million new dollars.
[8:31] Our projected state increase
is twenty one point six million
[8:34] and this is based on the
governor Youngkin's caboose bill.
[8:37] We are aware of the house
and senate budget bills that were
[8:40] released this past week and we
are waiting specific details
[8:43] and information on what that is
included in each and how they
[8:46] might impact Stafford schools.
[8:48] The local request in this
budget is an increase of
[8:51] eighteen point six million
dollars which includes a
[8:54] focused request on
two specific items.
[8:58] Ten point six million dollars
for the operational cost of our
[9:01] three new schools and eight million
dollars for staff compensation.
[9:05] We appreciate the county
administrator's proposed budget
[9:08] that would provide fifteen point
one million in local funds,
[9:11] but it's important to note that
is three point five million
[9:14] dollars short of the request.
[9:17] In terms of federal revenue,
[9:18] we are anticipating one
million additional dollars this
[9:21] year in federal revenue,
[9:23] and this is mainly from formula
adjustments and programs such as Medicaid.
[9:28] Our local revenue is projected
to decrease by one hundred and
[9:32] sixty nine thousand dollars,
[9:33] and that's mainly as a result of last
year's legislation with dual enrollment.
[9:37] Taken together, these funding sources
would allow us to open new schools,
[9:41] invest in staff compensation,
[9:43] and continue to limit the
local funding request through
[9:45] intentional efficient budgeting.
[9:49] Here's the bottom line upfront.
[9:51] Stafford Schools is
delivering results.
[9:53] Every single one of our
schools are fully accredited.
[9:56] Four of our five high
schools are distinguished the highest
[9:59] designation in the state and
our one high school that's
[10:02] still yet to get there is
point seven points away.
[10:05] We are outperforming the state
in key areas and leading the
[10:08] region in multiple grade levels.
[10:10] We are preparing our students
for life after graduation as
[10:14] evidenced by the five thousand
six hundred plus credentials
[10:17] that were earned last year.
[10:19] But we know we are growing
and we have growing
[10:21] responsibilities.
[10:23] We are we are set to open three
new schools which will expand
[10:26] our footprint of k twelve
schools by ten percent.
[10:29] Our special populations
including our students with
[10:32] disabilities and English
language learners has over
[10:34] doubled in the past decade.
[10:37] Our student needs
are more complex.
[10:39] We need greater focus on
safety, mental health,
[10:42] and comprehensive support.
[10:45] We know this is tough,
[10:46] but we know we must also be
intentional on how we manage resources.
[10:50] Eight and a half million
dollars we've reduced from our
[10:53] base budget over the past six years
through our zero based budgeting,
[10:56] and this includes internal
reallocation and cost containment.
[11:00] This also includes two point
two million dollars that was
[11:03] cut to our base budget prior to
my proposal to our school board.
[11:08] We are fortunate that state
at risk funding has been received
[11:11] and is projected to increase
for next year and we've been
[11:14] intentional about
leveraging those funds for
[11:17] interventionists, deans, security
staff and staff stability.
[11:22] We're also working to leverage
carryover and year end funds to
[11:25] address non reoccurring needs.
[11:29] As we look at our other funds,
[11:30] we're significantly behind
our other neighbors,
[11:33] not just our neighbors
to the north,
[11:34] but our neighbors to
the south as well,
[11:36] and we need to make progress on
our salaries and compensation.
[11:40] This budget provides salary
increases needed to support
[11:42] recruitment, retention,
[11:44] and stability that our students
and staff desperately need.
[11:48] Our board has also looked
closely at health insurance,
[11:50] has made adjustments to to
protect take home pay while
[11:54] also working to try to cover some
of our rising health care costs.
[11:58] The bottom line is this budget
preserves the momentum, performance,
[12:01] and investments that our boards
have made in our schools,
[12:04] our kids, and our communities.
[12:07] This position Stafford
Schools to move forward in an
[12:09] efficient, intentional,
and transparent manner.
[12:13] This slide shows the five year
plan for the school's operating
[12:17] budget as was presented to both boards
in March of twenty twenty three.
[12:21] At that time, we budgeted the cost for
the three new schools to be fifteen
[12:25] point three million dollars
for operating costs.
[12:28] Last year in FY twenty six,
[12:30] the costs were estimated to
be at five point six million.
[12:34] However, to costs
and lack of revenue,
[12:37] these costs were reduced to
nine hundred thousand and were
[12:40] deferred to FY twenty seven.
[12:43] In total, now that we're
close to FY twenty seven,
[12:45] we're able to take a look at
the actual cost including what
[12:48] we are requesting this year
and that is three point seven
[12:51] million dollars less than what
was included in the five year
[12:55] plan from twenty twenty three.
[12:57] We've also included the license
scale investments that were a
[13:00] part of the five year plan that
was shared to both boards and
[13:03] doctor Chase will speak to
those figures a little bit
[13:05] later in the presentation.
[13:08] In preparing for our new
schools, we have done the work.
[13:11] We have redistricted all
elementary and high school
[13:14] students across the county.
[13:16] We've established a division
wide transition team to help
[13:18] guide the work of
the transition.
[13:20] We've developed and executed
plans for the movement and
[13:23] reassignment of staff including
three hundred staff members who
[13:26] are moving with students.
[13:28] And those rep staff represent
nearly eighty percent of the
[13:32] staff required for
the new schools.
[13:34] We've created plans to
move classroom equipment,
[13:37] shift teacher supplies,
curriculum materials,
[13:40] everything that's needed
and the list goes on and on.
[13:43] Simply put, we're incredibly
thankful for the investment and the
[13:45] challenge and we've met
every mark and we're ready to
[13:48] continue to take the steps to
get these projects over the
[13:51] finish lines and get them
filled with students and staff.
[13:54] The total size of these schools
is just over five hundred and
[13:57] sixty thousand square feet
covering over a little over a
[14:00] hundred and fourteen acres.
[14:02] And again, this increases our k
twelve footprint by ten percent.
[14:07] New schools also come with
essential staffing expectations.
[14:11] Every school needs a principal,
assistant principals,
[14:14] counselors, social workers,
technology staff, librarians,
[14:18] just for example.
[14:19] All of that comes at a cost.
[14:21] And at the same time,
[14:23] opening the new schools really
reduce our utilization rates in
[14:26] our elementary schools from ninety
nine to a hundred to
[14:29] eighty five percent,
[14:30] and from a hundred and two
percent to a little over eighty
[14:33] five percent in
our high schools.
[14:35] With these factors in mind,
[14:37] we are carefully planning to
ensure each school is properly
[14:39] staffed and supported so that
both students and staff can
[14:42] thrive in these environments.
[14:46] While we're intentional
about managing costs,
[14:48] our largest expense remains
compensation and benefits
[14:51] and that's by design because
our people at the heart of
[14:54] everything we do.
[14:56] Investing in our educators,
[14:57] our administrators and staff
is an investment in student
[15:00] learning and achievement,
[15:02] an investment in engagement
and classroom success and an
[15:05] investment in a strong
connected community.
[15:08] We need competitive
compensation as this is
[15:10] essential to recruiting
and retaining top talent,
[15:14] rewarding our staff for their
dedication and expertise,
[15:17] and ensuring that Stafford
Schools can continue to attract
[15:20] and keep the best educators in a
competitive regional landscape.
[15:25] Simply put, strong staff
equals strong schools equals
[15:28] successful students and
a successful community.
[15:32] Some increases in this
budget are essential,
[15:35] non optional expenses just to keep
our schools functioning effectively,
[15:39] and a few of them are
displayed here on this slide.
[15:42] For example, the state recently adopted
new English and language arts standards.
[15:46] And in FY twenty seven,
[15:48] we're scheduled to adopt
new k twelve textbooks and
[15:51] instruction materials that
align with these standards to
[15:54] ensure we are teaching our
students the right standards
[15:56] that are aligned to the state.
[15:59] We have a new learn we have
a learning management system
[16:01] called Canvas that's been
supported by the states.
[16:03] The state has previously paid
for this and this is our course
[16:06] that houses all all of our
courses, our assignments,
[16:09] our student calendars, and
resources for teachers and students.
[16:13] It's currently not covered
in the state budget,
[16:15] so localities will have
to fund it separately.
[16:19] In terms of infrastructure
and technology,
[16:21] we currently do not have a
cyclic replacement for to
[16:25] replace equipment
when it breaks.
[16:27] Establishing a cyclic
replacement cycle for
[16:29] technology, buses, and other key
infrastructure is a long term solution.
[16:34] And we don't get there in this budget
but we take a small step forward.
[16:39] These investments ensure our
schools remain functional,
[16:42] effective, and aligned
to student needs.
[16:45] In governor Youngkin's
proposed budget,
[16:47] Stafford County is projected to
receive four point five million
[16:50] in new at risk funding.
[16:52] This funding must be targeted
to support students facing
[16:55] higher barriers to learning
including students experiencing
[16:59] economically disadvantaged,
English language learners,
[17:02] challenging behaviors
or discipline,
[17:05] and other students identified
by the state criteria.
[17:08] This funding has the potential
to have a significant impact as
[17:11] we're focusing on what has been
proven to work in our schools.
[17:15] It also in order to
achieve this funds,
[17:17] have to have a local match
and this plan offsets those
[17:20] costs with costs we were
already incurring in our local
[17:23] operating budget.
[17:26] Strategic use of our at risk
funding will allow us to focus
[17:29] on supports and stabilizing
critical positions.
[17:32] It allows us to improve student
outcomes while reducing the
[17:35] local funding pressure.
[17:38] And now I'll turn things over
to miss Fingerhultz to speak
[17:41] about our new schools.
[17:43] Thank you.
[17:44] I again want to thank our board
of supervisors definitely the
[17:47] ones that are here tonight for
funding the construction of
[17:50] Falls Run, Crow's Nest,
and Hartwood High.
[17:53] This helps us get back on
track to providing adequate
[17:56] infrastructure for educating
our Stafford County kids.
[18:00] Kids that rode the bus they
parked their car in their
[18:04] decorated spot this morning we're
sitting in the car rider lines.
[18:07] These are kids that
are already here.
[18:09] Construction of these schools
has been on the books for at
[18:12] least a decade.
[18:14] What a great moment for you to
be able to cut that ribbon on
[18:18] all that time and
all that investment.
[18:21] You will be addressing the
large number of trailers,
[18:24] some of the longest bus
routes, and overcrowding of lunchrooms,
[18:28] hallways, and classrooms.
[18:30] With less crowding comes better
academic possibilities and
[18:33] improved behavior management.
[18:35] You are also adding over
eighty stable quality
[18:39] job opportunities for your
constituents right here at home.
[18:44] With Hartwood High we will
be providing more real world
[18:47] study for our high schoolers
with pathways such as live
[18:51] entertainment management
and audio engineering.
[18:55] We've all seen the numbers,
we've seen the slides,
[18:57] we've seen the progress
over the years.
[19:00] Personally I want to share
with you one of the most
[19:04] important points.
[19:08] These are not buildings
of brick and steel
[19:12] that belong to the
school division.
[19:15] These are Stafford's
schools, all of ours.
[19:19] Whether a neighbor has
children attending them or not,
[19:23] in these walls and around these
fields is where our community
[19:26] will continue to connect.
[19:28] Where our seniors from the
Falls Run and Celebrate
[19:31] neighborhoods can catch some Friday
night lights with their grandkids.
[19:34] Where a new church can gather,
[19:36] where parks and recs can hold
indoor basketball games because
[19:39] we've added that
to these schools.
[19:42] Where we can have
the easiest most cost
[19:46] effective date
night at a theater
[19:49] and possibly the cutest as
well where our kids will grow
[19:53] memories life lessons and roots.
[19:57] Schools are living breathing parts
of a locality's identity and pride.
[20:02] We definitely appreciate you
for helping opening three
[20:05] additional ones and growing
that pride in our community.
[20:11] Good evening.
[20:12] Before I share with you the
role of the interventionist I'm
[20:15] going to give you the
bottom line up front.
[20:18] Interventionists ensure that the
right amount of academic
[20:21] support at the right time for
the students who need the help
[20:24] to improve their performance.
[20:27] Now on with the role of
the interventionists.
[20:29] They provide targeted support
in reading and math for
[20:32] students with the greatest need.
[20:34] Interventionists deliver
research based intervention to
[20:37] strengthen foundational skills
and close learning gaps.
[20:41] They monitor student data in
real time to adjust instruction
[20:44] for maximum impact.
[20:45] And last but not least,
[20:47] interventionists ensure
evidence based strategies are
[20:51] consistent across both
classrooms and schools.
[20:54] As you know, we've had interventionists
in Stafford County for about two
[20:59] years, I believe,
around twenty three,
[21:01] twenty the twenty two
I'm sorry, twenty three,
[21:03] twenty four school year,
[21:05] and the data shows that the
interventionist efforts are indeed working.
[21:09] Early targeted support is
reducing the number of students
[21:12] identified as high
risk in reading.
[21:15] Here are some things
for you to consider.
[21:17] Students are being identified
early and support supported
[21:20] more effectively.
[21:22] Many students no longer require
the highest level of intervention.
[21:26] Students are moving toward
grade level performance not
[21:29] remaining in high
risk categories.
[21:31] And number four, focusing intervention
efforts in the earliest grades
[21:35] accelerate growth in
literacy and in math.
[21:38] The lowest performing students
percentage significant
[21:42] growth demonstrated in the
twenty twenty five school year,
[21:46] which obviously is
the current I'm sorry.
[21:48] Twenty twenty five
to twenty six,
[21:50] which is the
current school year.
[21:52] We have included the
interventionists in the budget
[21:54] to sustain the progress
that has been made.
[21:56] And the last two things I'd
like to leave you with is I
[21:59] want you to note that
the interventionists were
[22:02] previously funded through
grants but are supported by the
[22:05] at risk funding to
maintain the momentum,
[22:08] and the interventionists are
a top priority for elementary
[22:11] school principals as they are
essential to meeting student
[22:14] needs and supporting
reading math outcome.
[22:17] Thank you.
[22:20] Miss Randall.
[23:16] Desirable behaviors.
[23:18] This is, oh thank
you, oh thank you.
[23:21] Allowing more time, thank you,
[23:23] and attention on
teaching and learning.
[23:28] Our administrative teams
develop protocols and
[23:31] procedures for their
schools, safety plans.
[23:36] A new member has been added to
that team in our high schools.
[23:41] Our high schools, they
are the dean of students.
[23:44] Their role has increased
[23:48] lowering sorry.
[23:50] With an increase in lower
level discipline issues after
[23:54] COVID, these deans are able
to receive a message from a
[23:58] teacher, get there, and immediately
begin to handle discipline.
[24:04] If they require an
assistant principal,
[24:06] they can get that
ball process rolling.
[24:10] They can spend some reflection
and redirection time
[24:14] with the students,
[24:16] And their service
[24:19] helps to support solid
tier one instruction.
[24:24] In addition, we as a division
are working to develop our own
[24:28] pipeline of administrators
who already have hands
[24:33] on the job training.
[24:35] And currently, we have
one at each high school.
[24:39] Our middle school principals
have identified dean of
[24:43] students as their top request.
[24:46] In addition, it has been in
our five year budget plan.
[24:50] So we are asking for eight
of them for our middle
[24:54] schools using our
at risk funding.
[24:58] To round out our
security people request,
[25:02] we would like to ask for
eight school security
[25:06] officers or SSOs.
[25:11] I think,
[25:13] can we turn the page, or
flip the slide, thank you.
[25:18] Currently, our high schools
have one SRO and three
[25:23] SSOs.
[25:24] Our middle schools
share their SRO,
[25:29] and the Stafford County
Sheriff's Office,
[25:32] on their website, it's
not quite up to date,
[25:35] but they gave us a list of
all of our county schools.
[25:38] And you can see some
of these deputies'
[25:41] names appear three times
because they serve a middle
[25:45] school and two
elementary schools.
[25:53] Middle schools have had a
slight increase in undesirable
[25:57] behavior and have even
moved above our high school
[26:02] data, and we would like
to make a strong step
[26:05] towards protecting the
teaching and learning
[26:07] time and space.
[26:09] This position works to
support our code of conduct,
[26:13] and their duties fall under the
direction of the school administration.
[26:18] As you can see on
this chart up here,
[26:21] we show that we indeed have
SROs in our middle schools and
[26:25] high schools like many of the
areas and localities around us,
[26:29] but we do not have as many
of our localities around us.
[26:34] We only have the
SSOs in high school,
[26:38] not all levels.
[26:39] And so we're asking to take
one more step of improvement
[26:42] by bringing them on board in
each of our middle schools.
[26:49] An SSO can check hallways,
entrances, and exits.
[26:55] They can
[26:57] serve in the car rider and
bus rider entries and exits.
[27:01] They would be dedicated
to their schools,
[27:03] and they do not get called away
for an hour for a day for an
[27:07] hour up to a day with
threat assessments.
[27:10] We would like this
consideration to be an and and
[27:15] not an or as part
of our safety first.
[27:20] Moving on to our SROs,
since FY twenty three,
[27:24] we have maintained
thirteen SROs.
[27:28] In FY twenty three, we had two,
[27:30] but we moved to
three sergeant SROs,
[27:33] but we have maintained
that entire time with only
[27:37] five SPOs.
[27:40] Our SROs, as you can
see on this slide here,
[27:43] become are an employer or
their employer is the Stafford County
[27:47] Sheriff, whereas our SSOs
are an employer employed
[27:52] by Stafford County Schools.
[27:54] Yes.
[27:55] As I I did hear your
discussion the other day,
[27:58] I don't want you to think I
wasn't mindfully part of it.
[28:01] But, yes, they are
SROs are armed,
[28:06] and our SSOs are not.
[28:09] We expect our and
have a agreed MOU,
[28:13] which you are all
given a copy of,
[28:15] that shares and shows the
responsibilities of the
[28:19] SROs.
[28:20] And the s and most
everything they do has to do
[28:25] with law, whereas our
primary responsibilities of
[28:29] our security officers in
our building is safety
[28:34] and maintaining the
safety of the building,
[28:37] who's coming and going.
[28:39] Also, there are
in there are some
[28:42] instances where SROs
cannot get involved and the
[28:45] SSOs can.
[28:47] And, again, both of them
serve very important roles.
[28:52] We wouldn't want to be without
either as we move towards
[28:57] maintaining safety
in our schools.
[29:02] Our at risk funding gives
us the opportunity to once
[29:06] again, as Doctor.
[29:07] Smith mentioned earlier,
[29:10] being able to bring
on these SSOs and
[29:15] new deans of students for our
middle school safety and security.
[29:21] So thank you.
[29:24] Yep, so I wanted to speak a
little bit about teacher salaries.
[29:30] We
[29:32] about, gosh, I think it
was twenty twenty three,
[29:36] we came across the street
and we pointed out that
[29:41] we were not at all competitive
for teacher salaries,
[29:44] and that we were really losing
lots of teachers to the north
[29:48] and to the south of us.
[29:50] And it was noted at the
time that public safety
[29:54] were put at market in one year.
[29:58] And there was a board member
who's not here today who made
[30:02] the point that the school
system had so many more
[30:05] employees that it was really
not possible for us to make
[30:09] this market adjustment
in a single year.
[30:11] And we understood that.
[30:13] I mean, we're willing to work
with the Board of Supervisors.
[30:17] And we were asked to come
up with a five year plan.
[30:19] And we did come up
with a five year plan.
[30:22] And you can see on this slide,
[30:25] license scale investments,
the bottom table there,
[30:29] it shows for twenty twenty four
[30:32] that the five year plan had us
[30:35] getting sixteen
point eight million,
[30:37] but we only got fourteen
point one million.
[30:39] So we fell behind by
two point seven million.
[30:43] Last year, FY20, well the
year before that FY25,
[30:48] we were on the money,
that's very nice.
[30:50] And then this year
we fell behind by
[30:54] six point six million.
[30:57] So
[31:00] part of the, there are a couple factors
that have come into play for us with salary.
[31:07] One is we were fortunate enough
as we were raising salary to
[31:10] get more experienced teachers.
[31:13] And I tell you as
a teacher myself,
[31:15] it takes about three years
to become a good teacher,
[31:19] so an experienced teacher
is a very valuable thing.
[31:23] But an experienced
teacher costs more money,
[31:25] And so as we got more
experienced teachers into
[31:28] Stafford County Public Schools,
[31:32] it cost a little bit more money.
[31:33] And as a result, we haven't
been able to lift the salary
[31:38] for starting teachers.
[31:39] And so you'll notice on the
top table there that this year
[31:43] our starting salary for teachers
is fifty thousand six hundred.
[31:48] What we are proposing for next year
is an increase to fifty four thousand.
[31:52] That doesn't really get us as competitive
as we'd like, but it hopefully
[31:58] our later years where the
salaries are higher will help.
[32:01] But you can see proposed
for Prince William
[32:03] for next year is sixty five
[32:05] thousand, for Fredericksburg
is fifty five thousand,
[32:09] for Spotsie is almost
fifty five thousand,
[32:12] and for King George
is fifty one thousand.
[32:15] So this budget is asking for
[32:20] enough to have that starting
salary be at fifty four
[32:23] thousand rather than fifty
thousand six hundred.
[32:28] And why is this important?
[32:31] Study after study shows that
the most highest impact on a
[32:36] student is the teacher
in the classroom.
[32:38] To have a highly qualified
[32:41] teacher who develops
relationships with students
[32:44] makes a huge difference.
[32:45] And so that's why we are
asking for this money.
[32:50] And I would just point out that we
are working to adjust the scale.
[32:55] We had the scale having
three percent steps.
[32:58] We now are suggesting two
point one five percent steps.
[33:04] We understand that we're
making a big ask for next year.
[33:07] We understand that we're
opening three schools.
[33:10] And what I often hear is will the
schools just ask for everything?
[33:14] Well we actually aren't asking
you to give us all the money
[33:18] for year four and all the money
we didn't get last year for
[33:22] year three of the salary scale.
[33:24] We are working with you.
[33:27] We understand that ten point
six million to open three
[33:31] schools is a heavy lift.
[33:34] So the next thing I want to
[33:37] mention that's a strain
for us is healthcare costs.
[33:41] Health insurance has been
increasing every year.
[33:44] For next year we're expecting
perhaps a twenty eight percent
[33:48] increase over the current
year to catch up to
[33:51] underfunding.
[33:53] And as part of that we are increasing
employee premiums next year.
[33:57] We have proposed to increase
premiums up to forty seven
[34:01] percent for some of our
employees because our premiums
[34:04] have been lower.
[34:05] And this is another way that
we're trying to help and not
[34:09] ask for everything in this
budget because we do understand
[34:13] it's a heavy lift.
[34:15] Salary and benefits are
incredibly important for our
[34:19] goal of getting students the
best education that we can.
[34:23] And I think we can see the
effect of those experienced
[34:27] teachers in some of the
outcomes we've seen in the past
[34:31] year with respect to our schools
that our students are doing well.
[34:35] And now let's hear from
some of those students.
[34:38] So we have Safi Qureshi
and Talia Davis will
[34:42] be giving us their
student perspective.
[34:47] Hello everyone.
[34:48] When I was thinking about what
to say for today's speech,
[34:50] I had a realization.
[34:51] Most of my memories from this
year didn't actually happen at
[34:54] a school dance or a big game.
[34:57] They happened in the five
minutes between bells when
[34:59] teachers asked how my
weekend was or stayed up,
[35:02] stayed late to explain a
concept to me for the tenth
[35:05] time until I finally
understood it.
[35:07] What I'm trying to say here
is our teachers are the heartbeat
[35:09] of our daily lives.
[35:11] They aren't just experts
in their subjects,
[35:13] they're our mentors,
[35:14] our unofficial therapists and
sometimes the only people who
[35:17] notice when we're really
having a rough day.
[35:20] They pour so much of themselves
into us that sometimes we
[35:24] forget that they're human too.
[35:26] But here's the thing, you
can't pour from an empty cup.
[35:30] We see our teachers staying
late, grading through lunch,
[35:33] coaching a team and
supporting a club.
[35:36] It's easy to see the lessons
they teach but what really
[35:38] stands out to me is the
constant support they give to
[35:41] us even when no one is watching.
[35:44] If we want them to keep showing
up for us with that same
[35:47] energy, we need to
show up for them.
[35:50] Let's ensure that our teachers
feel supported the exact same
[35:53] way that us students feel supported
and heard in their classrooms.
[35:57] Building on that,
[35:58] I want to be clear about what it truly
means to show up for our teachers.
[36:01] It means providing resources
they need so they aren't
[36:04] innovating out of
their own pockets.
[36:06] It means actively listening,
[36:07] ensuring that when they voice
concerns about classroom sizes
[36:10] or burnout, those concerns
are led with direct action.
[36:14] When we prioritize the
professional health of our
[36:17] staff, we aren't
just helping them,
[36:19] we're ensuring that our schools
remain a place of growth rather
[36:21] than a place of stress.
[36:23] By investing in their stability,
[36:24] we're securing the quality
of our own education.
[36:27] As student representatives,
[36:29] we see the direct connection
between teacher well-being and
[36:31] student success.
[36:33] When teachers feel
supported and valued,
[36:34] classrooms are stronger, more
stable, and more effective.
[36:38] Investing in our
educators, it's not extra,
[36:40] it's essential to long term
strength of our schools.
[36:44] When our teachers have
the room to thrive,
[36:45] we thrive right along with them.
[36:47] So, I urge the board to keep
seeking those tangible ways to
[36:50] champion the people who
champion us every day.
[36:52] Thank you.
[36:54] Thank you. We appreciate it.
And I would like to thank Mr.
[36:57] English and Ms.
Evans for being here.
[37:01] And I just want
to remind you that
[37:03] we are delivering results for our
students and for our families.
[37:07] This has been a monumental year.
[37:09] It's quite an honor
to open three schools,
[37:12] but it is a big challenge.
[37:13] And I know that our staff is
working monumentally on those tasks.
[37:18] But we do have to address
the fact that our compensation is
[37:21] lagging and we are trying
to work with you to
[37:25] make it more feasible for us
to increase the salaries where
[37:29] they need to be so that
we're competitive and we're
[37:31] recruiting the best teachers and
we're keeping the teachers we have.
[37:36] So, a strong community requires
a strong school system.
[37:39] We are part of the economic
engine that drives our community.
[37:43] And I want to thank you for
your continuing support.
[37:45] Doctor. Smith?
[37:49] I think you about
said it all there.
[37:50] So, looking forward
to working with Mr.
[37:52] Ashton and our supervisors.
[37:54] I hope this presentation has
shared some of our needs,
[37:57] and happy to answer any questions
as we move forward in this process.
[38:02] Thank you for dinner.
[38:07] Okay. We are adjourned.
[38:09] Thank you.