CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Superintendent Dr. Pamela Moran and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas presented their funding request for Albemarle County Public Schools.
Moran said the theme for this year's request is equity and opportunity.
The funding request proposed a budget of $188 million dollars, which is a four percent increase over the current year's budget.
The funding request was split in two objectives.
One part was to eliminate opportunity gaps for student success based on race, gender, and class.
Their solution to this was removing financial barriers and getting proficient resources to supplement the incoming 249 students for the next school year.
Moran said they are trying to give every student a chance to follow their dream.
"We're working really hard to remove financial barriers that impact our children," said Moran. "We are working on all the different ways that we can make sure that every learner is getting what they need to be able to have every opportunity they can to achieve their hopes and dreams."
The second part would prepare students for their careers through a curriculum that's close to teaching them workforce skills.
The request also mentioned raising salaries for teachers.
Haas said they are working on straightening the pay scale to make sure all teachers get the same compensation.
"Another big part of our increase this year is looking at our teacher compensation," said Haas. "Every teacher along the scale gets the same compensation increase."
Moran said this is vital to the mission to the schools of Albemarle County.
"The largest share of where we put our funding is always in the people that serve the young people of Albemarle," said Moran.
Beth Costa, principal at Henley Middle School in Crozet, said she is excited to see this opportunity open up for students.
"This budget really does a good job of providing those different things for different groups of children," said Costa.
This presentation was the first time the Albemarle County School Board heard through the plans of the request.
Kate Acuff, the chair for the school board, said she is optimistic about the plans.
"I was very pleased with the budget," said Acuff. "It really continues our focus on continuing equity and opportunity for our students."
With big plans to move schools in Albemarle County schools forward, Costa said the work is only beginning.
"I think the challenge will be now to make sure everything can be funded and fully supported," said Costa.
Moran said the redistricting vote from last week had no significant impact on this request.
She also said their local school revenues are projected to increase by close to 11 percent.
There will be a public hearing for the funding request on Jan. 30.
