Teacher pay raises fall victim to budget holdup

COVID-19 put a halt to this year’s General Assembly in Columbia, and that creates complications for Oconee public schools in figuring out how to create a budget for the fast-approaching new government year on July 1. Gloria Moore, the district finance director, says, “The resolutions that both the House and Senate approved say the state minimum teacher salary schedule for FY19-20 will remain in effect for the FY 20-21 year and step increases are suspended. That would include all staff and administrators. Of course, that could change when the legislature meets and adopts a new budget.” Moore gave the county trustees a report during last night’s telephone meeting, which took place with social distancing rules in mind. Members of the public were able to follow the meeting via YouTube.