Harnett County Schools request nearly $40 million in operating increases and $193 million in short‑term capital needs for 2025–26

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — During a joint session with the Harnett County Board of Education, district finance staff presented the local funding request for the 2025–26 school year, seeking a combined increase in operating and capital funding.

Andrew Cox, assistant superintendent for finance for Harnett County Schools, reviewed the school system’s funding request. He told the board the district is asking for $39,995,293 in current‑expense expansion for 2025–26. The request includes measures designed to increase local teacher supplements (a requested shift from a flat‑rate, four‑tier supplement to a flat 12% supplement for certified teachers), additional classified salary increases (continuing steps toward the Pontifex salary study recommendation), four additional curriculum specialists targeted to low‑performing schools, and an additional request to increase coaching supplements by 10% (a followup to last year’s increase).

On capital needs, Cox described the district’s “tier 1” short‑term facility needs at $191,748,352 and detailed a broader immediate capital request totaling $193,056,710. Short‑term projects cited included a proposed $15,000,000 school transportation facility, planning for a Highland High School project, a potential $30,000,000 partnership project with Central Carolina Community College for an early‑college/CTE high school, a $10,000,000 auxiliary gym for Triton High School and a $35,000,000 replacement of Buies Creek Elementary. The district also listed longer‑term needs such as new elementary and middle schools in growth areas and renovations at existing campuses.

Cox reviewed how county appropriations for the previous year were used: commissioners provided $30,804,606 for operations, $1,400,000 for capital improvements and $1,021,528 for additional capital outlay; about $2.5 million of that increase funded teacher and classified supplements and required charter school passthrough payments. He also noted the district faces a loss of about $5.7 million in state low‑wealth funding and said the county previously indicated it would fill any gap if the General Assembly did not restore the funding.

Board of Education members present urged the commissioners to consider the requested increases, saying the funds are needed to retain and recruit teachers, raise classified pay toward market recommendations, and address urgent facility needs. Commissioners thanked the school leaders for the presentation and said they value the working relationship; the Board of Commissioners did not take final action on the request at the meeting and will consider it during the county’s budget process.