The Shelby County Board of Education has approved a balanced general fund budget for the 2019-20 school year, including significant investments in academics, social emotional learning, talent, operational improvements and community support.
In addition, SCS is requesting an $7.5 million in new funds from the Shelby County Commission to invest in key academic initiatives and another $64 million to address critical facility needs and new school development.
The District has undergone more change in the last 10 years than most school districts have to deal with over the span of decades. Therefore, it is a priority every year to seek community input that helps determine strategic funding priorities to address the needs of all children.
“Many of this year's budget priorities are the direct result of input from teachers, parents and the greater community received during my first 90 days,” said Dr. Joris Ray, SCS Superintendent. “This feedback has been extremely valuable as we worked to identify investments that will have the greatest impact on student achievement.”
The approved budget includes a variety of priorities, like: teacher and staff salary raises; ACT prep and at least 2 Advanced Placement (AP) courses in all high schools; additional educational assistants, social workers and school psychologists; investments to realize our 3rd grade commitment initiative; 30 “reset” or calming rooms to support students’ individual needs; a new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum; and so much more.
The Shelby County Commission is expected to vote on the budget on June 24. We will continue to work with Commissioners to ensure every child in our school district has the resources in their classrooms to succeed.
What are the priorities and investments in the 2019-20 Budget?
Talent & Operations - $22.7 million
- Raises for teachers, principals & support staff
- Aspiring Teachers Program
- New Alcy-area elementary school
- Consolidation of Hamilton Elementary & Middle School
- Custodial improvements
Academic Initiatives - $9.2 million
- 15 new Pre-K classrooms
- ACT Prep for all high schools
- Equity In Action programs:
- 3rd Grade Commitment
- Universal CLUE Screening
- Additional education assistants at 56 low-performing schools
- iZone restructure to include all Priority schools
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) - $8 million
- New SEL curriculum
- 14 social workers & 30 reconnections specialists
- 20 behavioral specialists
- Trauma-informed & restorative practices
- SEL focus on African-American males
Community Support - $600,000
- MATA bus ridership
- Creation of new community schools
- Increased translation & interpretation support for non-English-speaking families
How will the additional $7.5 million investment request from the commission be used?
- K-2 phonics curriculum to support early literacy - $2M
- Fall & spring break academic sessions for students - $2M
- Targeted instruction for English Language Learners (ELL) - $900K
- Coding & computer science programs - $1M
- Freshman Academy - $600K
- Middle school English/Language Arts (ELA) & Math enrichment - $750K
- ACT tutoring & mentoring - $300K
SCS continues to prioritize efforts to reduce $500+ million in deferred maintenance. The $64 million request to address critical facility needs will be used towards projects that include:
- New Alcy-area elementary school
- Foundational & structural repairs
- School renovations
- 14 new classrooms
- 2 new gymnasiums
- 9 new school roofs
- 13 new HVAC systems
- 3 fire & safety system replacements
View a more detailed budget summary and our operational and capital investments request here.
Read the SCS School Board’s proposed budget resolution here.
Read the SCS School Board’s Capital Improvement request here.