The Gloucester School Board unanimously adopted a $52,383,610 operating budget for fiscal year 2013 last Thursday, part of a $57,777,503 overall budget plan. The operating category is up less than 1 percent over the current operating budget, and holds a $1.9 million or 9.5 percent increase in local funds.

The board had been looking at an anticipated budget shortfall of over $4 million for the next fiscal year, but the increase in local funding and another $2 million in reductions tied to dropping 40 to 50 positions through attrition helped bridge the gap. There are also savings tied to shutting down the instructional program at T.C. Walker Elementary.

School board members unanimously approved the budget plan prior to meeting with county supervisors to discuss budget issues. The school budget includes a 4 percent pay raise for employees, the same raise county employees are expected to receive for FY2013.

Board vice chairman Randy Burak requested consideration be given to cutting...