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Schools
From Page A1
hearing that would be followed by open budget work sessions and, ultimately, by the Board of Supervisors public hearing on the school budget.
The draft budget represents a 16.56 percent increase in the county contribution.
The budget total, $9,728,007, is nearly 11 percent higher than for the 2002-2003 budget year.
Mrs. Williams explained her budget philosophy in a budget overview entitled "Plan for the Future 20032004." She said that the county's schools, "with the exception of the tax collector, touch more people in the county than anyone else," and that dictates that the schools offer programs and facilities that are up to the task.
She noted that it was a bad time, economically, to be "thinking about the future" but that federal and state mandates and student and community needs must be taken into account in budget preparation.
Mrs. Williams said the budget is supportive of a mission that includes the development of individuals who are "productive, supportive, intelligent, and compassionate."
She described, "in order of financial impact," the four major elements of budget increase. These include employee compensation, infrastructure, safety, and technology.
With regard to compensation, Mrs. Williams said that "all employees are a part of our mission" and so deserve adequate recompense to ensure that they can be attracted and retained by the school system.
The budget includes a 3.5
98.4%