The Board of Education today [Tuesday, March 9] approved a $20.7 million amendment to the Fiscal Year 2005 operating budget request that would fund tentative contract agreements featuring a 2-percent increase in salaries next year for teachers and supporting services staff.

The tentative agreements, which are pending ratification by the union memberships, include cost containment measures in insurance totaling a savings of $3 million next year. The budget request, which the Board of Education had initially approved last month, would increase from $1.587 billion to $1.608 billion.

The amended budget will be forwarded to the County Executive and the County Council for incorporation into overall budget considerations for next year. The tentative agreements are consistent with settlements reached by the Montgomery County government with its employees.

Other contractual issues are still pending with the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA). The tentative agreement with SEIU Local 500 would extend the current contract through Fiscal Year 2007, with negotiations on a range of non-salary contract issues over the next two years.

In its action today, the Board also set aside funds for a 2-percent increase next year in salaries for staff represented by the Montgomery County Association of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (MCAASP), pending ongoing negotiations.