Employees of the Newton County School System will see a little more money in their checks through the rest of the year following a called meeting today.

The Newton County School Board members agreed to spend nearly $1 million of the unexpected $4.4 million that was saved last year by the system's maintenance and operations department, as well as other small savings.

The increase amount will essentially be two days pay spread out through the remainder of this year's paychecks for system employees, or roughly $40 in net pay per paycheck. The decision will cost the school system $822,000, leaving an ending fund balance in the 2013-14 school year of $190,727. It costs more than $568,000 to operate the school's for one day.

One board member opposed this expenditure, vice-chair Eddie Johnson recommended the board increase contributions to employee retirement plans for the next two years, contribute $10 per month to employee healthcare benefits and give each teacher $100 to use on classroom supplies.

The pay increase is for this year only and will be revisited annually.