The Gloucester School Board adopted a $112,754,153 total budget for fiscal year 2021 during its March 12 work session at the T.C. Walker Education Center. The budget was adopted 6-1, with board member Darren Post casting the only opposing vote.

The budget presented for the board’s consideration would require a $3,755,512 increase in local dollars for the school division’s operating fund, down from the just over $7 million increase originally proposed by division superintendent Walter Clemons.

The $3.7 million increase includes a 3 percent raise plus a step on the salary scale for teachers and a 2 percent hike for other employees. In his budget planning, county administrator Brent Fedors is only recommending a $1.4 million budget increase for the school division, including a 2-percent raise for all staff.

Although four school board members proposed minor changes to the budget, board member Troy Andersen suggested they just adopt a total funds amount of $112,754,153. “Otherwise...