The Fayette County Board of Education approved the tentative 2023-2024 budget, which would make the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) system the first district in the state to give teachers a starting salary of more than $50,000.

The budget includes a $677.4 million general fund for the next school year, emphasizing spending on academics, strategic initiatives, operations, and support for students + staff.

Let's take a closer look at the numbers.

Salaries

FCPS will dedicate $28.9 million to increase salaries for faculty and staff.

$24.9 million will be directed to salaried staff raises, bringing the starting teacher salary to $50,085 vs. the current salary of $44,106.
$4 million will be used to provide an average 8% pay increase to contracted/hourly employees, with a guaranteed 4% pay increase.

Student support

The tentative budget lists ~$18 million in student support initiatives.

$8.9 million to hire 157 more teachers and other professionals including school nurses, bus drivers, coaches, as well as specialists to support gifted and talented students, special education, and multilingual services.
$1.5 million to support fine arts programs including new instruments for band + orchestra, additional dance teachers + a Mariachi instructor. Stipends will also be given to teachers that work with students beyond regular school hours.
~$1 million towards enhancing early childhood education by opening more preschool classrooms + expanding Rise STEM Academy for Girls and George Washington Carver Academy for Boys.
$448,000 will be used to create new programming, as well as college + career exploration activities.

"We recognize that an investment in our employees is an investment in our students," FCPS Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said, "This historic budget reflects our unwavering dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment and ensuring that all our students receive the outstanding education they deserve."