Board approves $65 million local funding request amid debate over priorities and process

The Iredell-Statesville Board of Education voted 5-1 to transmit a 2025-26 local current funding request to the county manager that, as presented by district staff, asks for roughly a 15% increase over the prior year (a county allocation request presented as about $65 million). The vote begins formal county negotiations but does not appropriate funds.

Why it matters: the request sets the district's opening position for county budget talks and outlines local assumptions the board and staff say are needed to cover teacher and staff compensation, benefit cost increases, special education shortfalls and operational pressures.

What was proposed and why

Adam Steele, district finance staff, told the board the request reflected a set of assumptions: a 3% salary increase for staff (based on recent years), an increase in retirement contribution from 24.4% to 25.4%, a health insurance premium estimate of $8,500 per covered person, and other expense adjustments. The presentation said those changes could raise local costs by several million dollars and that the district faced an estimated $1.8 million shortfall in special education costs.

Steele described additional line items included in the request: $574,000 (with benefits) proposed to support a behavior support team (previously grant-funded), $250,000 earmarked for professional development targeted at low-performing schools, $312,000 for fuel and vehicle costs, and funding assumptions related to charter school pass-throughs (the district's share of charter payments was presented as just over $7 million based on projected charter enrollment).

Board reaction and process concerns

Board members praised staff for the detail but several members objected to the process. Mike Kubenick (board member) said he could not "faithfully discharge my duties to vote for it" because he felt board members had been insufficiently involved in budget development. He urged a more participatory committee or workshop process so board members and community stakeholders could review assumptions before the budget was submitted.

Other members said they supported submitting an opening request to the county so talks could begin. The chair and superintendent noted that the county manager had asked for a starting figure on a tight timeline and that staff would continue to update the board as negotiations proceed.

Vote and next steps

Mister Angel moved and Rhonda Hoke seconded the motion to approve the local current request as presented. The board approved the submission 5-1. District staff said they will file the request with the county manager and follow up with presentations to county officials; the staff also offered to schedule further board budget workshops if the board wished.

Ending: The district emphasized the request was a negotiation starting point. Final local revenue and appropriations will be determined through the county process and become available only after county action.