This report has been corrected to reflect that the vote on the pay raise was 6-3.
FORT WORTH -- School board members approved a $600 million budget after rejecting a motion to give teachers a 1 percent pay raise.The vote was 7-2 to approve the general operating budget for fiscal 2012-13.The school district must dip into savings to cover a $27.6 million shortfall.Before the budget vote, Trustee Juan Rangel offered a motion to give teachers a 1 percent pay raise, saying the board must support teachers.But several other trustees said they were concerned about adding to the deficit and taking additional money from savings.Administrators did not recommend a raise. Superintendent Walter Dansbytold trustees that a 1 percent raise would increase the deficit by $4.9 million.The pay proposal failed 6-3.Steven Poole, deputy executive director of the United Educators Association, urged the board to give raises and make salaries competitive with neighboring districts."Your employees have worked really, really hard for you this year," Poole said.The shortfall had been projected to be as high as $40 million, but officials whittled it down.Cuts include layoffs of more than 80 employees, including library clerks and teacher assistants funded through federal grants.Hank Johnson, deputy superintendent of finance, business and operations, told trustees that the district is projected to have 271 fewer employees in 2012-13 than in 2010-11.For campus employees, that is a 2 percent decrease, or 162 staffers, over two years.For central office staff, it is a 9 percent decrease, or 34 employees, Johnson said.The fiscal year ends Saturday. Trustees are expected to vote on the tax rate in August.In other business:The board agreed to a five-year extension of an oil and gas lease with Chesapeake for Como Elementary, Como Montessori and Arlington Heights High School. The agreement is worth about $38,000.The board approved several principals, including naming Trimble Technical High School acting Principal Joe Dugan to the job permanently.Jessamy Brown, 817-390-7326Twitter: @jessamybrown
A closer look
General fund expenses: $600 million
General fund revenue: $572.4 million
General fund shortfall: $27.6 million
Ending general fund balance: $74.1 million
Debt service fund budget: $76 million
Food service fund budget: $46.8 million
Source: Fort Worth school district
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