Gaston County Schools asks county for $7 million boost, details teacher pay and capital needs

GASTONIA, N.C. — At the Gaston County Board of Education—s March 17 meeting, district finance staff presented the superintendent—s budget request for fiscal year 2025-26, asking the county for roughly $7 million in additional funding to cover operating needs and capital maintenance.

The presentation, delivered by Gary Assmans, said the district—s current initial budget is about $381 million and that county funding this year totals approximately $56.4 million, which represents roughly 15% of the district—s budget. "We are currently the second largest employer in Gaston County," Assmans said, and he detailed key local-cost responsibilities the county funds, including teacher supplements, facilities, student technology and transportation.

The request breaks into an operating increase of $5.2 million and a separate capital maintenance ask that moves local funding from $2.2 million this year toward $4 million in year one of a three-year plan to reach a peer benchmark of about $6.9 million. The district asked for $3.6 million to raise the average local teacher supplement; Assmans said the average supplement now is $3,860 and that the requested increase would narrow the gap with peer districts. The presentation showed county-provided teacher supplements have grown modestly in recent years but that employer retirement and benefit costs have risen, reducing the dollars that reach classroom pay.

Assmans also described ongoing costs the district needs to fund just to maintain current services: inflation on supplies and contracts, a modeled 3% salary increase for locally funded positions (matching the current state-year increase used in the planning scenario), and higher employer benefit costs. He told the board the district must produce a balanced local budget resolution by state deadlines even if the state budget is delayed.

The budget presentation was given for information; no vote on the request occurred at the meeting. Assmans said the board will present the approved local budget request to the Gaston County Board of Commissioners at a joint meeting on April 1, and that the school board plans to return to the board for formal approval at its April 14 meeting.

The district—s presentation included historical charts of student counts (about 30,000 students enrolled in Gaston County Schools), local funding trends, charter school payments, and a breakdown of how local dollars are currently used, with operational support services and instructional services listed among the largest line items.

Board members did not take formal action on the request during the March 17 session; staff said they will answer questions and return with an approval item on April 14.