Less than a week after handing out letters to 27 employees, letting them know they may be laid off after June 30, Superintendent of Schools David J. Holleran and the members of the Mathews County School Board moved ahead with a proposed budget for the 2012-2013 school year.

The school board reviewed the proposed $12.34 million budget, which calls for 2 percent plus step salary increases, during a work session Tuesday in the Mathews High School media center, agreeing to hold a public hearing on the matter at 6 p.m. next Tuesday at the same location. The school board is scheduled to adopt its budget the following Tuesday, March 20.

Handing out the letters just days before weighed heavily on Holleran’s mind as he discussed the budget. He called it "probably the most gut-wrenching experience (he) had to go through" in his career. He met one-on-one with the employees in question to let them know of the bad news. "It was a very personal experience, and we wanted it...