The budget may not include last year’s hefty salary increases (about 8 percent), but school officials say those increases, along with a new policy on scholarships and paid parental leave, will impact other areas, such as student recruitment and retention.

“One of the reasons the costs may have been higher than expected was the large number of teachers, educators and staff who chose to stay in Fayette County,” said Board Chairman Tyler Murphy.

This year’s increases were about 1 percent.

The $817 million budget comes as the district moves away from reliance on pandemic-era funding. The loss of some relief funds led to fears of cuts to arts programs earlier this year.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said changes due to enrollment numbers, course demand and other factors always play a role in funding allocation.

Security portal

During its action meeting on Monday, the school board also learned about an online safety tracker that will provide parents and families with up-to-date information.

At the top left of the new online portal, visitors will find a real-time or near-real-time ticker with the latest information on safety on campus.

“A lot of times we want to get out accurate information, but we want to get it out as quickly as possible,” explained Fayette School Police Chief Martin Schafer. “We’re really excited about this tool that will let us know about things on our campuses, and just like a ticker you see everywhere else, it will scroll, stay up to date, and give you the information you need.”

The website also explains the meaning of various law enforcement terms, such as “curfew” and “heightened alert.”

Users can also expect updates on severe weather, transportation issues and other safety-related information.

The site is now live and can be found at fcps.net/safety.