Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell tonight recommended to the Board of Education a $1.68 billion Fiscal Year 2024 operating budget that focuses heavily on what he called “embarrassing” compensation gaps for employees compared to other jurisdictions and provides staffing aimed at addressing the social, emotional, and academic growth of students across the county.
In his first budget recommendation as Superintendent, Dr. Bedell allocated $80.8 million – more than half of his recommended increase – toward compensation increases for employees at all levels of the school system.
“We need competitive pay for our teachers,” Dr. Bedell told the Board in his budget address. “We also need competitive pay for bus drivers, custodians, maintenance employees, secretaries, food service workers, and all of the employees who work in this school system. We have employees trying to make ends meet while earning less than $13 an hour. I just have to call it like I see it: That’s not a livable wage, and it’s embarrassing.”
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