Gloucester Public Schools superintendent Walter R. Clemons introduced a $54.86 million operating budget proposal for fiscal year 2016 during the Gloucester School Board meeting Tuesday at the T.C. Walker Education Center.

The budget includes raises for all personnel and funds to staff and operate the new Page Middle School, which is scheduled to open in September.

The $54,862,971 proposal represents a $1,146,091 increase, or 2.1 percent, over the current operating budget of $53.7 million. It would also require $1,299,408 more in local funding for a total county contribution of $24.2 million, up 5.7 percent over the current local funding level.

The budget as proposed includes a compensation increase of between 1.23 and 2.79 percent, or an average boost of 2.06 percent, for instructional personnel and a 2 percent raise for administrative and support staff.

Also in the budget is $595,636 in operating costs for the new Page Middle School, with a state revenue offset of $20,000 expected...