Dare County Board of Education members unanimously adopted an interim budget resolution in a brief open meeting Monday evening, June 24.

The interim budget, as explained by chief finance officer Candy Tilley, permits spending at last year’s levels for the fiscal year that starts Monday, July 1, 2019.

An interim budget is required because the General Assembly has not passed and the governor has not signed state budgets for fiscal years 2020 and 2021.

On Tuesday, June 25, legislative leaders in Raleigh introduced a compromise budget proposal, the result of negotiations.

The proposed budget calls for a 2.5 percent raise for most state employees for each of the next two years, report the News & Observer.

The proposed budget shows a raise for teachers of 3.9 percent over two years and gives experienced teachers more attention.

The News & Observer reports that “teachers with 16 to 20 years of experience would get a $500 raise each year. Those with 21 to 24 years of experience would get a $1,500 raise this year followed by a $500 raise next year.

“Teachers with 25 years or more experience would get a raise of $600 this year and $500 next year. They’d also get a $500 bonus check in each of the next two Octobers.”

Both the House and Senate budgets grant a one percent raise to support staff such as custodians, cafeteria workers.

Instead of a bond package to address school infrastructure needs, the legislative compromise budget calls for a $4.4 billion commitment for school construction using an existing state infrastructure fund.

At the Dare school board meeting, members approved a new carrier for student accident insurance. The new vendor is the Young Group at a cost of $16,222.80.

Additionally, Superintendent John Farrelly recommended and the board approved contracting with Surry Insurance Company to provide general liability, errors and omissions, inland marine, automobile, workers compensation, umbrella and cyber liability insurance. The bill is $244,283.19.

On first reading, the board approved a change to Policy 7101: Hiring. On a unanimous vote, the school board will now receive additional information about candidates for a certified position. The superintendent will provide the names of candidates interviewed, present or most recent employer and a brief rationale for recommendation.

The board approved a consent agenda with yearend budget amendments. One amendment pulls $158,000 from fund balance to cover a shortfall in fines and forfeitures income and $117,000 to cover a shortfall in the miscellaneous income revenue category.

The board accepted a $10,000 cash donation to the First Flight High School football program.

Also in the consent agenda, the board approved coaches for the fall season.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Fireworks on the Outer Banks: Rules and safety tips

Cooper vetoes GOP budget, calling it ‘astonishing failure’