All Liberty County School System employees will have their salaries adjusted to reflect a 2 percent raise.
The Board of Education approved the raise at their regular Tuesday meeting.
Gov. Nathan Deal’s $25 billion state budget for fiscal 2018 included $160 million for teachers’ raises.

There was an option to give employees the increase in a one-time bonus instead to but the district decided to adjust the salary scales.
Last year, Liberty County School System’s classified and certified staff received a 3 percent raise.
The board approved the fiscal 2018 budget of $101.9 million in a 4-3 vote. Board chairwoman Lily Baker and board members Verdell Jones, Marcia Anderson, and Carol Guyett voted in favor of the adopting the budget. Marcus Scott IV, Dr. Yvette Keel and Carolyn Smith Carter opposed.
“I just want to reiterate my concerns with our limited input in the process,” Scott said, “hoping we can do a better job with that next year.”

Scott’s concerns included not having summer school, requesting the district look into having an athletic director and previous board discussions about increasing the pay of classified employees, aside from the salary increase recommended by the governor.
Anderson said board members were asked for input and Baker mentioned board members having to turn in a form with their suggestions.
Scott still felt like they didn’t have enough time with the budget.

The budget includes an additional $23 million fund balance, capital expenditures of $7.1 million and $61.6 million for direct instruction.
At the beginning of the meeting Fort Stewart Garrison Commander Col. Townley Hedrick was honored for being an involved parent, mentor and leader in the community during his stay. Hedrick is moving from Fort Stewart to Fort Benning.
State Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway) also presented Hedrick with a resolution commending his contributions to the coastal region.

“I am truly humbled,” Hedrick said. “I have felt like family in my last two years here. You made me feel so welcome that when the Army said ‘Hey your two years is up’ I said ‘I just got started.’ I really don’t want to go but that’s how the Army works. It’s easy to be a part of this team and this family. In the army we don’t say goodbye we say see you later, and I’m sure you will.”
Hedrick also introduced the incoming garrison commander, Col. Jason Wolter.

In other business, the board approved 12 vehicles for surplus. The vehicles were determined to be “beyond repair” and no longer any use or benefit for the district.
The city of Hinesville will do road work on East Mills Avenue in August. It is expected to impact an entrance to the Pre-K center and access to Olvey Field.

Budget numbers
Here’s a look at how the school system budget is broken down:
The budget includes:
-Direct instruction: $61.6 million
-Pupil services: $3.6 million
-Educational media: $1.6 million
-General administration: 1.3 million
-School administration: $6.7 million
-Student transportation: $5.4 million