Cumberland school leaders push county commissioners to revisit revenue‑neutral budget after manager offers $2 million

Cumberland County Schools officials and board members pressed county leaders on Thursday after the county manager proposed a revenue‑neutral budget that allocates $2 million to the district, far below the $14 million increase school leaders had requested.

The board's finance staff described the county manager's recommendation as ‘‘revenue neutral’’ — meaning the county reduced the tax rate so total county receipts remain largely unchanged despite increased property valuations — and warned that approach undermines a multiyear plan to raise the district's local teacher supplement.

The budget shortfall matters because, officials said, Cumberland is a large, low‑wealth district that relies on a mix of local and state funding for teacher supplements. Jay, finance staff for the district, said the board had requested $14 million but the county manager's recommended budget includes only $2 million for the schools.

"We asked for $14,000,000. And in the county manager's budget, it was $2,000,000…