New Hanover County Schools Board of Education holds budget work session

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Board of Education held a work session Wednesday afternoon on the budget for fiscal year 2024-25. Possible job cuts caused by a projected budget shortfall has the attention of educators and parents. 

Funding for the school district takes up the largest portion of New Hanover County’s yearly budget, accounting for nearly 1/3 of it last year. This year, the school board is expected to have a $20 million shortfall.  

Around $10 million of that shortfall is from a loss of federal COVID relief funds, while another $10 million is from salary increases and benefits.  

The shortfall could result in hundreds of jobs being cut from teachers, social workers, to nurses, and mental health therapists.  

Board member Josie Barnhart said she doesn’t see this as a feasible option and looks back on 2022, when the board was faced with cutting staff for pay raises.  

“I’m really having the hardest time with it. If anybody can help shed light on where they think 230 staff taken out of our schools is a good thing— I would really like to be enlightened on that,” Barnhart said. 

There are also several programs at risk of being cut. Programs like school mental health expansion, pre-k expansion, and a bullying prevention program.  

Board member Stephanie Walker said she believes it’s a state issue.  

“It’s clear to me that the state is not adequately funding what we need in this county, or probably any other county, but this one particularly. Where does it end,” Walker said. 

New Hanover County Schools Board of Education will take up the budget at its regular meeting on March 12 at 5 p.m.