Matthews supervisors approve MOU for school maintenance transfer, delay final FY‑26 budget vote

The Matthews County Board of Supervisors on April 17 adopted a memorandum of understanding that moves maintenance responsibility for Matthews County Public Schools to the county but delayed final approval of the FY‑26 budget and the proposed tax rate until an emergency joint meeting with the school board.

The MOU, approved by a unanimous roll call, transfers operational maintenance duties to the county facilities manager and sets a process for shared responsibilities and annual review. Chair Tim Doss (Chair, Matthews County Board of Supervisors) said the board supports the schools but has repeatedly flagged budget numbers that “don’t add up,” and the MOU is intended to ensure repairs and preventive maintenance are addressed by county staff.

The action came during an unusually long meeting dominated by school finances. The board and the public debated a budget presentation by the school division that proposed program reductions and staffing changes. Supervisors repeatedly told the school board and administration they could not approve material increases without a clearer, line‑item accounting of expenditures; Supervisor David Jones (Supervisor, Matthews County Board of Supervisors) emphasized the board wants the state‑required line‑item budget that would make comparisons and audit easier.

Why it matters: The county’s operating budget is heavily tied to local property taxes and the school system is the largest expense. Supervisors said taking maintenance in‑house will let the county prioritize building repairs — including HVAC, roofs and boilers the board said need attention — and better track capital needs, while the budget and local tax decision remain unresolved.

Key details: - The board approved the maintenance MOU by roll call vote; the agreement includes language for annual review and a 12‑month termination notice. It says that if either party dissolves the MOU the board will fund and equip a school maintenance department. (MOU text is recorded in minutes.) - Supervisors said the school’s maintenance request in the FY‑25 figures was roughly $1.7 million but the school board offered about $958,000 in the FY‑26 request for the county to assume; supervisors said the discrepancy needed reconciliation before final budget approval. - The board did not set a final tax rate or adopt the advertised budget. Chair Doss said he will contact the school board to schedule an emergency joint meeting within days; several supervisors said they will not vote for the budget without a clear line‑item presentation from the schools.

Public reaction and staff responses: Dozens of residents, parents, teachers and school staff spoke in public comment urging protection of classroom programs, athletics and vocational offerings. School employees and parents repeatedly warned that cuts to custodial and support staff — including notices already issued to custodial contractors and staff — would degrade services. Dr. Daniels (Superintendent, Matthews County Public Schools) was referenced often in supervisors’ remarks; supervisors said they will work with Dr. Daniels and the school board to reconcile the numbers.

What’s next: Supervisors scheduled an emergency meeting with the school board to review school financials and the proposed FY‑26 budget; the board said it will not adopt a tax rate until the joint review clarifies discrepancies and confirms the local funding required.

Ending: The board framed the maintenance transfer as a step to address years of deferred school building repairs, while signaling the budget fight will continue until the county and the school division present matching, verifiable figures.