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Rockingham County Schools projects $264,606 preschool shortfall; parents and teachers urge county support
Summary
Rockingham County Schools staff told the board the preschool program faces a projected $264,606 deficit for 2025–26, prompting emotional public comments from parents and preschool teachers and a pledge from the district to pursue additional funding from county and partner agencies.
Rockingham County Schools officials told the school board on March 17 that the district projects a $264,606 shortfall in its preschool program for the 2025–26 school year, and parents and preschool teachers urged the board to keep classrooms open while the district seeks additional funding.
The board read a statement saying the district’s February 24 work session identified preschool as one of several budget shortfalls and that staff planned to include an increase in the request to the county. The statement noted that federal and state grants and partnerships expand access to NC Pre-K but that rising salary and benefit costs and growing identification of children needing exceptional children’s (EC) services have left a funding gap.
The shortfall figure — $264,606 — covers personnel costs the district says are needed to maintain two preschool classrooms. "While it is never our intention to remove services that are beneficial to…
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