After an extended public comment period focused on school closures, the Cumberland County Board of Education in the final minutes of its Tuesday meeting approved Superintendent Eric Bracy’s proposed $671 million budget for the 2026–27 school year.
The vote came as part of the board’s consent agenda, which was approved in a single motion without discussion of individual items.
The approval comes as the district continues to navigate an annual deficit of about $5 million and district leaders have warned that long-term solutions, including school closures, may be necessary to address ongoing financial challenges.
The budget includes a request for a $6.5 million increase in county funding, bringing the proposed ask from the county to about $110.3 million. District leaders said the additional funding is needed to address rising costs and support employee compensation.
The proposal includes:
- A projected 2% pay increase, largely funded by the state.
- About $1.5 million for employee pay increases not fully funded by the state.
- $1 million to increase principal and assistant principal supplements.
- About $2.5 million to raise classified staff supplements from 6% to 10%.
- Approximately $390,000 for increased charter school payments.
- About $500,000 to cover rising utility costs.
- Roughly $3 million for other district needs.
- About $9.1 million from the district’s fund balance to sustain staffing and operations.
With board approval secured, the proposed budget will now be submitted to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, which will ultimately determine funding for the district’s plans.
Exceptional Children Services Get $4.09 Million Boost
The board also approved $4.09 million in additional funding for six Exceptional Children service providers for the current school year, finalizing a series of increases previously reviewed by the district’s Student Support Services Committee.
The contract increases were brought forward in recent months, including committee review on March 26, before being approved by the board on Tuesday as part of its consent agenda.
District officials said the additional funding will address staffing shortages, complete required evaluations of students who may need special accommodations, and ensure students with disabilities continue receiving services outlined in their Individualized Education Programs.
The approval follows a $1.3 million increase approved in January, as the district continues to expand contracted services to keep pace with staffing shortages and rising demand.
The funding increases apply to six service providers:
- AMN Staffing Services, LLC, a Texas-based company, increased from $750,000 to $2.25 million, supporting speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists across multiple schools.
- Soliant Staffing, LLC, a Georgia-based company, increased from $1.75 million to $3.925 million, providing additional therapy and evaluation services for students with disabilities.
- The Interpreter Network, a North Carolina-based provider, increased from $175,000 to $375,000, providing sign language interpreter services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Pear Inc., increased from $120,000 to $265,000, provides psychoeducational evaluations used to determine eligibility for special education services and guide IEP development.
- Invision Services, a North Carolina-based provider, increased from $74,000 to $124,000, provides vision support, including services for students with visual impairments and orientation and mobility training.
- Aya Healthcare, a California-based company, increased from $90,000 to $110,000, provides related services such as occupational therapy and behavioral support.
District documents show the contracts are funded through Exceptional Children instructional funds, which fall within the district’s broader instructional services category.
Instructional services account for about 74% of the district’s current $636.5 million budget, making it the largest area of spending.
District leaders said the increases will allow the school system to continue meeting federally required service obligations and avoid disruptions through the remainder of the school year.
Board Backs State Funding Push
The board also approved a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a 2026 state budget that supports public education priorities, including competitive salary increases for school employees and increased funding for Exceptional Children services.
In March, board members and district officials met with state lawmakers to discuss funding, along with school closings and consolidations.
The resolution also calls for $27.9 million in recurring funding to add 320 school health personnel positions statewide.
The board also approved budget amendments to the current 2025–26 school year, including a $17.4 million increase to the district’s capital outlay fund to support school maintenance and renovation projects.
