Harnett County Schools requests $39.9M for 2025-2026 fiscal budget and upgrades

The Harnett County Board of Commissioners held a work session on April 29, 2025, focusing on the budget request from the Harnett County Schools for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The meeting featured a detailed presentation by Andrew Cox, the Assistant Superintendent for Finance, who outlined the school system's funding needs and priorities.

Cox began by expressing gratitude for the county's support, highlighting the $30.8 million allocated for operations and additional funding for capital improvements in the previous fiscal year. He noted that the school system received approximately $2.5 million in new funding, which was primarily directed towards teacher and administrator supplements, classified salary increases, and charter school funding.

For the upcoming fiscal year, the school system is requesting a total of nearly $40 million in current expenses, which includes significant expansions aimed at enhancing educational quality and competitiveness. Key requests include $789,000 for charter school funding, $66,000 for coaching supplements, and $387,280 for additional curriculum specialists to support low-performing schools.

Cox also addressed the impact of losing $5.7 million in state low wealth funding, emphasizing ongoing discussions with state legislators to restore this funding. He expressed optimism that the county would fill this gap if state support does not materialize.

In terms of capital needs, the school system outlined immediate projects totaling approximately $193 million, which include facility upgrades and new construction. Notable projects include a visitor management system for enhanced school security and various maintenance needs across the district.

The meeting concluded with a call for questions, as the commissioners considered the implications of the budget requests on the county's financial planning and educational priorities. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration between county officials and school leaders to ensure the continued support of Harnett County's educational system.