Moore County Schools board approves preliminary 2025–26 budget, K–5 literacy materials and schedule; denies former member’s legal‑defense request

The Moore County Schools Board of Education at its April 2025 meeting approved a proposed preliminary $165,806,080 budget for fiscal year 2025–26, approved K–5 core literacy instructional materials and the district’s standard school‑day schedule for the 2025–26 school year, and voted to deny a former board member’s request for legal defense, the board recorded.

The vote on the proposed preliminary budget passed 6–1. The budget presented to the board projects total revenues and appropriations across multiple funds at $165,806,080 and proposes a local fund‑balance appropriation of $2,943,742 to balance the books. Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Finance Miss Edmonds told the board the superintendent’s proposed Fund 1 (State) is $101,170,921; Fund 2 (Local) $42,894,475; Fund 3 (Federal) $11,415,322; Fund 4 (Capital) $1,200,000; Fund 5 (School Nutrition) $6,405,500; and Fund 8 (restricted revenue) $2,719,862, totaling the proposed $165,806,080.

Why it matters: the preliminary budget allocates staff and operating resources for the coming year, uses a portion of the district’s fund balance to close an estimated local shortfall and unfreezes one curriculum specialist position the board asked to restore. The board’s budget committee recommended the plan after finding roughly $570,000 in efficiency savings and estimating local revenue growth of about 3 percent from the county funding formula.

Board discussion and key details

- Budget approach: Mr. Johnson, the board’s budget committee chair, described the proposal as “another very lean budget,” noting the committee’s emphasis on conservative revenue assumptions and limiting use of fund balance. Dr. Locklear, the superintendent, summarized the proposal as a “continuation budget” focused on fixed‑cost increases and targeted reinvestments, including restoring the curriculum specialist position.

- Estimates and assumptions: Administrators told the board they calculated roughly $1.19 million in additional local fixed costs for salaries, benefits and other nonpayroll increases (including a roughly $240,000 projected increase to reflect charter‑school student funding). The county allotment was conservatively projected at 3 percent growth, producing an estimated local revenue increase of $1,146,138; that left a projected shortfall addressed by the proposed $2,943,742 fund‑balance appropriation.

- Calendar and next steps: If approved, the board will present the preliminary budget to the Moore County Board of Commissioners on May 6. The county manager will release a recommended county budget on May 20 and the commissioners are scheduled to act June 19. District staff said they expect to return to the board with updated state and county figures in October for an official budget resolution.

Other formal actions taken

- K–5 core literacy materials: The board approved purchase of K–5 core instructional literacy materials. Motion by Miss Davis, second by Mr. Benway; motion carried. Board discussion praised the materials’ writing instruction and transparency for parents.

- Standard day schedule 2025–26: The board approved the standard day schedule for 2025–26. Motion by Mr. Johnson, second by Dr. Dahl; motion carried 6–1. Mr. Hensley was recorded in opposition.

- Out‑of‑state field trips: The board approved two out‑of‑state trips presented for Union Pines High School, including a Leadership Academy visit to The Citadel in Charleston and a Military Child Education Coalition Global Training Summit trip. Motion by Mr. Benway, second by Dr. Dahl; motion carried.

- Third‑quarter budget resolution (FY24–25): The board approved the amended fiscal‑year 2024–25 third‑quarter budget resolution, reflecting over 80 state allotment revisions this quarter. Motion carried.

- Strategic plan public comment: The board endorsed placing the draft Moore County Schools District strategic plan (2025–27) on the district website for public comment from April 8 to April 28, 2025. Motion by Mr. Benway, second by Dr. Dahl; motion carried.

- Request for legal defense denied: The board considered a written request from former board member Mr. Holmes seeking legal defense under Board policy 07/2010. Dr. Locklear, the superintendent, recommended denial as consistent with the policy; the board voted to approve the superintendent’s recommendation (motion by Miss Davis, second by Mr. Johnson), and the request was denied.

Votes at a glance

- Preliminary 2025–26 proposed budget (preliminary approval): outcome: approved; tally: 6 yes, 1 no; no further details specified in the record. (Discussion and figures presented by Miss Edmonds and Dr. Locklear.)

- Approve K–5 core literacy materials: outcome: approved; mover: Miss Davis; seconder: Mr. Benway.

- Standard day schedule 2025–26: outcome: approved; mover: Mr. Johnson; seconder: Dr. Dahl; tally: 6 yes, 1 no (Mr. Hensley opposed).

- Out‑of‑state field trips (Union Pines High School): outcome: approved; mover: Mr. Benway; seconder: Dr. Dahl.

- Amended FY24–25 third‑quarter budget resolution: outcome: approved; mover/seconder recorded in the meeting; details of 80+ state allotment revisions noted by staff.

- Endorse draft strategic plan for public comment (April 8–28, 2025): outcome: approved; mover: Mr. Benway; seconder: Dr. Dahl.

- Request for legal defense by former board member Mr. Holmes (Board policy 07/2010): outcome: denied; superintendent recommended denial; motion by Miss Davis; second by Mr. Johnson.

Context and limits of authority

Administrators and board members repeatedly noted the proposal is preliminary: the board approved the preliminary budget to transmit to the county but officials said local and state revenue figures remain subject to change and the board will revisit the budget when updated figures are available. The board relied on the county’s 3 percent guidance for local revenue; staff stressed state funding totals had not yet been finalized and would be incorporated later.

Ending

Board members thanked staff for their work on the budget and other items and noted next public steps: the strategic‑plan public comment period, presentation to county commissioners and returning to the board for an October budget resolution after final state and county figures are known.