During a recent Lee County commissioners meeting, educators and community members voiced urgent concerns regarding the funding of the Lee County Public School System. The meeting attracted a larger audience than usual, including school staff, parents, and community members, all advocating for increased financial support for local schools.

Emily York, a representative of the educators, emphasized the importance of fulfilling the county's financial obligations as mandated by North Carolina law. She highlighted that the funding for schools comes from three sources: the state public school fund, the local current expense fund, and the capital outlay fund. York stressed that inadequate funding directly impacts the salaries of essential school staff, including bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and teaching assistants, diminishing their perceived value and risking staff retention.

Kayla Wabalda, a classroom educator and parent, echoed these sentiments, calling for fair wages for all school employees. She pointed out that the county's failure to meet the Board of Education's budget request of $5 million, settling instead for $2.3 million, has left many staff members underpaid and struggling to make ends meet.

Yolanda Womble, a teaching assistant and bus driver, passionately articulated the challenges faced by school staff, including the demanding responsibilities of ensuring student safety and providing essential life skills. She criticized the disparity in pay between teachers and support staff, despite their shared qualifications and dedication to student welfare. Womble expressed frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the salaries of higher-paid staff, questioning the value placed on those who work directly with students.

The speakers collectively urged the commissioners to prioritize funding for education, warning that without adequate financial support, the quality of education and the ability to attract families to the area would suffer. The meeting underscored a growing concern among educators and community members about the sustainability of the school system and the well-being of its staff.