Pender County Schools details budget impact after county funding decision
PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Pender County Schools is outlining the impact of the county’s latest budget approval, saying increased funding will help with long-term facility needs but falls short of what is needed to maintain current staffing and services.
In a statement released Wednesday, the district said it appreciates the county commissioners’ continued support of public education and the additional funding included in the 2026–2027 fiscal year budget.
The school system received a $1.3 million increase in current-expense funding, along with $6 million in capital funding. Officials said the capital investment will support major needs across the district, including facility repairs, HVAC systems, transportation, technology upgrades, and long-term infrastructure improvements.
However, district leaders said the current-expense increase did not meet their request to maintain existing staffing levels and services. Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove previously presented a budget proposal calling for a $4 million increase to avoid staffing or service reductions in the upcoming school year.
According to the district, the approved increase is about $2.7 million short of that request, meaning Pender County Schools will need to reduce local operating expenses moving forward.
Over the next several weeks, district and school administrators will review budget priorities to determine what can be maintained, delayed, reduced, or offset through other funding sources. Leaders say their focus will remain on protecting classroom instruction, school safety, and core school operations while limiting class size increases where possible.
No specific reductions have been announced at this time, but officials caution that difficult decisions may be necessary if funding does not keep pace with the cost of maintaining current staffing and services.
Pender County Schools says it will continue working with county leaders to address operational funding challenges that impact staffing, student support, instructional resources, and daily school operations.
