Hiring less staff next year in order to pay teachers more was debated Tuesday by the Poquoson City Council and the School Board.

The School Board's proposed $23 million budget for 2008-09 includes a 3 percent raise for staff, and $250,000 to add six staff positions.

Councilman Gene Hunt suggested teachers receive a higher raise in lieu of adding staff, especially given a trend of decreased student enrollment. The division expects about 70 less students next year.

Hiring another special education teacher and two assistants is integral, said Interim Poquoson City Schools Superintendent Marilyn Barr. Otherwise some teachers will have to work with children across three grade levels on up to four subjects.

"I know what happens when you cut special education positions," Barr said. "You will lose staff because they physically can't do that."

The board will wait for final enrollment numbers before officially deciding what positions to add, said School Board Chairman John Costulis.

Costulis stressed that the proposed budget, which asks for an $8.5 million local contribution, a 3.5 percent increase from last year, is the bare minimum the School Board needs to run the division.