Pender School Board and County Commission battle over budget

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It looks like leaders in Pender County might continue the  fight over funding for schools.

The Pender County School Board today said it has voted to continue mediation beyond a Saturday deadline so it can work with the county commission to figure out a funding formula that works for both sides. The school board held a special meeting last night.

“The Pender County Board of Education wants to resolve the present funding dispute with the Board of County Commissioners without a lawsuit and in a way that promotes the best interests of all our citizens,” a school board statement read. “We believe this can be done, that the needs of our schools must be better met, and that this can be accomplished without any further tax increase this year if we work together.”

The school board says it “cannot continue to absorb exploding enrollment growth without addressing our funding needs.”

The County Commission determined that they will not be extending the mediation period. Commission Chair David Williams said he would rather spend time working towards a funding plan that works for everyone, rather than wasting time and money in court.

Williams said the ball is now in the School Board’s court. He said they will have five days to decide whether they would like to take the matter to court.

In June the school board asked commissioners for $2.6 million above and beyond the money voters approved last fall in a bond referendum.

Monday night commissioners voted to approve a nearly $3 million advance to the school district for land acquisition and school design work.

The county attorney earlier this week sent out notice of a possible emergency meeting for the commission to consider extending mediation beyond tomorrow. So far they have not announced whether they will hold that meeting.