The Cumberland County Board of Education approved the proposed 2025-26 budget, which includes an increase of $14 million in local funds.
The request is included in Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr.’s total proposed budget of $649,533,224, according to information presented at the board’s meeting Tuesday. The budget will be sent to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners for approval.
If approved, the district’s request for local money will total $103,734,839, according to Deanna Jones, chair of the Board of Education, and go toward proposed increases in supplemental pay and salaries.
The budget calls for a 3% increase in salaries for certified and classified employees. Classified employees would also receive a one-time bonus of $1,000.
Currently, the average supplemental pay for teachers is $3,745. If approved, the average supplement would increase to $5,371. The investment of local funds represents an overall increase of 64% in money to pay for teacher supplements and 200% in funds for classified employees.
“That would position CCS [Cumberland County Schools] as one of the leading school systems in our region,” Connelly said in his budget message to board members.
Cumberland County Schools are included in a regional district that includes schools from the counties of Sampson, Bladen, Columbus, Robeson, Hoke, Moore, Scotland, Richmond and Montgomery, according to the N.C. State Board of Education.
Connelly also proposes using $14.2 million from the school district’s reserve funds.
Connelly, in his message, noted that proficiency scores have improved in 55 schools while scores on the End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests rose by 1.6% — matching the state average.
“Most significantly, 17 schools were removed from the state’s low-performing list, reducing the total from 27 to 15. These outcomes reflect the dedication of educators and the impact of targeted supports aimed at advancing student success,” Connelly said.
The Capital Outlay Budget, which funds building, land and infrastructure needs, is about $22.2 million — 3.4% of the overall budget.
The 2025-26 budget for the county is scheduled to be presented at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 at the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse at 117 Dick St.
The budget must be adopted by June 30, the end of the 2024-25 fiscal year.
