A new financial plan is nearly finalized for the next WCPS school year.

This week, the Wayne County Board of Education approved Interim Superintendent Dr. David Lewis’ proposed budget.

At Monday’s meeting, Dr. Lewis reminded the new $192.6 million budget will have to be adjusted once the new school year begins as final enrollment figures and state and federal funding is finalized.

Lewis says WCPS plans to ask for up to an additional $1.7 million in local funding this year.

However, the county has not quite allocated that much for the school district as of yet, but increases in federal funding may help offset the shortfall.

Dr. Lewis has stated a priority for this budget is reducing and eliminating the district’s debt.

WCPS started the school year with $5 million in debt and has since paid off about $1.3 million.

The Wayne County Public Schools 2021-2022 budget will now be forwarded to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners for final approval.

Click here to see the Wayne County Public Schools Proposed Budget.