Wake County public speakers urge board to reject proposed cuts to counselors, social workers and school-based staff

The Wake County Board of Education heard more than two hours of public testimony April (public hearing) focused largely on the superintendent’s proposed 2025–26 budget and a slate of potential cuts to school-based staff and employee benefits.

Speakers from across the district — including teachers, counselors, union leaders and parents — urged the board to seek full funding from county and state partners rather than reduce services they said are critical to students’ safety and academic progress.

Many commenters said proposed reductions to counselors, social workers, assistant principals and building-level staff would increase caseloads and widen existing gaps in student support. Elizabeth Riley, a school social worker at North Ridge Elementary, told the board, “We currently have over 5,400 families who are identified under our McKinney–Vento program.” She warned that pulling funding from the counseling and social work staff “will leave our most vulnerable students…