Pender commissioner seeks reconsideration of school funding after budget approval
PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY-TV) — Just days after the Pender County Board of Commissioners approved its budget for the upcoming fiscal year, one commissioner is seeking a renewed discussion about funding for Pender County Schools.
Commissioners approved the budget in a 4-1 vote earlier this week. The spending plan includes $6 million in capital funding for the school district, which supports facility improvements, maintenance projects, HVAC systems and other infrastructure needs.
However, the budget provides only about $1 million for operational expenses, which cover day-to-day costs such as staffing, instructional support and other recurring expenditures.
According to Pender County Schools, the approved budget leaves the district facing a $2.7 million operating gap.
Parents and school advocates have expressed concern about the potential impact on students and educators.
“We were not thinking that they could possibly do such a short-sighted thing to our largest employer in the county. I mean, they’ve taken the human piece out of the budget,” said Sarah Ware, PTA president at North Topsail Elementary School.
Commissioner Jimmy Tate, who voted in favor of the budget, said he supports revisiting the issue now that county leaders have a clearer understanding of the effects the funding levels could have on schools.
“I fought hard for our school system capital improvement needs and certainly hope the Board of County Commissioners will join me in revisiting the budgetary issue now that we better understand the significant operational impacts this budget will have on our schools. We must ensure that our schools, teachers, and students have the resources they need to succeed,” Tate said in a statement to WWAY.
