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RALEIGH — Wake County School superintendent Tony Tata's top concern is to keep a school district strong during tight financial times.

Tata discussed the board's recent approval of next year's proposed budget-which includes a raise for certified employees. The budget asks Wake County commissioners for an extra $8.8 million, which is a 2.8 percent increase from last year.

Tata said the budget invests in teachers without a reduction in their positions.

"It's a realistic budget that places priority on investing in teachers and staff with small raises or bonus and protecting them by not calling for any kind of reduction in force. Even though we've had a $25 million reduction in the budget this year and we carry a $50 million continuing discretionary cut for the last four years this budget protects teachers and classrooms first and foremost," said Tata.

In recent years, cuts have been made to central services and administrative positions in the school system.