Pender County Schools ask for $2.6 million from county

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Monday night Pender County commissioners met with the Pender County Board of Education to discuss the needs of the school system. It was the first of more meetings between the two.

Pender County commissioners passed their budget that meant a 17 cent property tax increase, part of that increase includes a school bond referendum, but school leaders are saying they need more from the county.

The Pender County Board of Education is asking the county for more money separate from the school bond referendum.

Attorney Richard Schwartz spoke on behalf of the school board asking county commissioners to find $2.6 million in their budget for the school system.

“The school bond is for long term capital outlay needs, what this dispute is about the immediate upcoming year school budget,” said Schwartz.

Schwartz listed a number of needs including teacher training, technological upgrades and new maintenance vehicles.

Schwartz says if Pender County Schools are going to move forward they need help.

“They can’t continue to do that with technology that’s breaking down, with technology that’s outdated with teachers who are not trained and don’t have proper staff development. It’s just not reasonable to expect that to happen,” said Schwartz.

Schwartz says the General Assembly has some mandates that the state is no longer funding for example driver’s education. While it is required by the state, funding a driving program falls on local governments. Driver’s education was also on the list of needs.

The deadline for an agreement to be in place is August 1.