The Pulaski County School Board approved at the monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, its budget for the 2023-2024 school year. This budget will include a request to the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors for an additional $2,040,327 in local funding to cover Pulaski County’s share of the state’s proposed 7% pay raise and to address inflationary increases for bus fuel and electricity.
PCPS superintendent, Dr. Kevin Siers stated, “We recognize that we are asking for a significant increase in local funding but these funds are needed if we are going to remain competitive with neighboring school divisions who are able to offer the 7% pay increase to all employees. We have been able to keep up with surrounding school divisions over the past few years by making good use of additional state funds but it will be impossible this year without our locality contributing the full local share for these raises. A recent internal survey revealed that over 60% of our teachers will consider applying elsewhere if Pulaski County Public Schools cannot provide the same raise that is offered in other counties. Given the current teacher shortage in Virginia, any potential loss of teachers in Pulaski County should be of grave concern for our community. We are hopeful that our Board of Supervisors members will understand the seriousness of this situation for Pulaski County and provide a means for us to retain our incredible team of faculty and staff within PCPS.”