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Pender County Schools finance staff outlines budget status, proposes local supplement increase request to commissioners
Summary
Finance staff reported that district spending is about 67% expended for the year, described routine budget amendments and fines/forfeitures handling, and presented planning assumptions for the 2025–26 budget including a proposed local supplement increase totaling roughly $850,000.
Miss Nallen, Pender County Schools finance officer, told the board the district is about 67% expended for the current year and that she did not see any concerning spending trends at this point.
The finance presentation included routine budget amendments to align budgeted positions and program codes with actual salary and grant usage. Nallen said federal grants tend to carry over 18 to 24 months while state funds are “use it or lose it,” so the district is working to maximize state allocations rather than return any funds.
Nallen explained line-item treatment for fines and forfeitures, saying the county clerk’s office now holds disputed funds and pays bondsmen directly in many cases; the district remains in the red on that line until funds are actually received. She outlined typical situations that produce bond and vehicle forfeiture proceeds and said occurrences of having to return money are now rare.
Looking toward the 2025–26 planning year, finance staff presented planning assumptions: a 3% state salary increase for state-funded positions, a projected roughly 1% increase in retirement contribution, and a proposed increase in the state health insurance premium from $80.95 to $85.95 per person (staff cautioned implementation details were not finalized). Finance staff warned that roughly 85% of the district budget is staff-related, so state changes significantly affect local costs.
To address local supplement needs, the district plans to ask the county for a certified supplement increase of 1% (to an 11% supplement for certified staff) and a 6% supplement for classified staff; Nallen said that combined request would be about $850,000 in additional local funding for 2025–26 (approximately $575,000 for certified and $272,000 for classified supplements).
Staff also told the board the district will continue conservative spending and careful monitoring of federal programs because potential changes at the federal level could affect Title I, IDEA and child nutrition funding. The finance officer noted the district has avoided recurring expenses tied to one-time ESSER funds and that tighter internal controls and active budget oversight have helped detect irregularities in other districts.
The finance report concluded with an offer to bring more detailed budget work sessions with county commissioners and to provide any requested clarifications to board members.
