Guilford County school staff press board during budget public hearing; board approves 2025–26 funding request to commissioners

The Guilford County Board of Education opened a public hearing on the superintendent—s proposed budget and heard more than two hours of public comment focused largely on employee pay, staff shortages and building maintenance before voting to approve the district—s 2025–26 funding request to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners.

Many speakers at the April public hearing — custodians, cafeteria managers, teachers and union representatives — urged the board to seek additional local revenue to raise pay for classified staff and mid-career teachers. Joanna Pendleton, president of the Guilford County Association of Educators, urged the board to ask commissioners for more funds and suggested a property tax increase that would cost the average homeowner about $5 per month: "We can't choose to let our students pay the price for this shortfall," she said.

Why it matters: speakers said continued underfunding is forcing employees to take second jobs, leaving critical positions unfilled and…