Craven County Board votes down 2025–26 local expense and capital outlay budgets after fund-balance debate

At a special called meeting of the Craven County Board of Education (date not specified), the board voted against approving the proposed 2025–26 local current expense budget and capital outlay budget after extended debate about using the district fund balance, staffing decisions and the size of the county appropriation request.

The vote followed discussion of a budget that would rely on a $5.5 million appropriation from the district’s fund balance to balance the year and would ask the Craven County commissioners for an increase in local funding. Board members and staff debated cuts to noninstructional positions, the restoration of nurses and social workers to the local budget, and how declining average daily membership (ADM) is affecting state allotments.

Why it matters: the proposed budget would preserve a nurse in every school, school social workers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, assistant principals and school resource officers while also drawing down reserves. Several board members said continued reliance on the fund balance is unsustainable and urged deeper cuts or larger county support; others argued the plan preserves classroom resources.

Budget specifics discussed at the meeting included a county…