Gloucester School Board considers alternative to closing T.C. Walker
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The Gloucester School Board is considering an alternative capital improvements plan that would spare the closure of T.C. Walker Elementary School but halt its new middle school construction project.
School division superintendent Ben Kiser presented his proposed fiscal year 2013 budget plan to the board on Tuesday at Gloucester High School. The plan’s operating fund calls for a $4.2 million, or almost 21 percent, increase in local dollars. It would bring the total local contribution to $25 million, preclude the Walker closure and give employees a 4 percent raise. The $54.4 million overall proposal for operations represents a $4.7 million increase over the current budget.
In addition, the budget asks for $1.8 million in local dollars for small-scale capital improvements, including five new school buses and renovations and maintenance for existing facilities. The overall budget totals $61.2 million, including operations, food services, capital improvements and debt service categories, for a 7.3 percent overall increase.
Kiser said last month he would also like to ask the county for $4 million to $5 million more toward the new middle school project to supplement the $26 million currently available for its construction. The county has already committed $18 million, with the remainder coming from insurance on the former Page Middle School.
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