New Hanover County School Board continues to discuss upcoming fiscal year budget

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County School Board leaders are trying to figure out how to cover a multi-million-dollar shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.  

Conversations of cuts to be made and positions to prioritize have been on the table for some time now.  

On Tuesday, board members discussed requesting an additional $4.6 million from county commissioners. 

The district is facing a $20 million budget shortfall due to loss of COVID-19 relief funds. To balance the budget, up to 279 positions will need to be cut from the payroll.  Some positions at risk of being cut include academically or intellectually gifted teachers and exceptional children teachers.  

Recently, county commissioners considered an additional $5.5 million in funding that could save 76 of those positions.  

Tuesday’s meeting suggested a now $10.1 million ask to be put on the table for county commissioners to consider.  

“I’m gonna be in favor of putting this on paper for today, for the ask to the county, with the understanding that we might not get it,” NHCS Board Member Josie Barnhart said. “In that event, my question, again, to my fellow board members becomes, ‘do we want to reevaluate where our budget is or is it going to be the 5.5 that’s been presented in balance to us?'”  

NHCS Board Member Stephanie Walker responded to Barnhart questioning the uncertainty of being granted the amount, saying that even upon receival, it’s a temporary fix to a permanent problem.  

“They can’t deal with more cuts; they need more humans in the building. So, I hope we do get this grant but it’s not a guarantee sadly and we need sustainable funding for the future,” Walker said. 

Board members voted to ask for $10.1 million dollars from New Hanover County. It passed 4-3. 

Barnhart also said the school board plans to apply for several grants as a source of funding. Applications for many of those have not opened yet.