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 to suffer.”

Christina Cole, president of Wake NCAE, opposed the proposal on behalf of the union, saying the plan to repurpose positions would be a step backward for students and staff. “Cuts to school-based staff like building subs, clerical staff, assistant principals of comprehensive high schools, counselors and social workers are vital to the functioning of our schools,” Cole said.

Student-support staff and educators described specific local impacts. Maggie Fife, whose children attend Enloe High School, said Enloe would lose a counselor and multiple office staff, leading to an estimated ratio of 450 students to one counselor. Nathan Fowler, a CTE teacher at South Garner High School, said South Garner “is losing at least five positions for next year compared to this school year, one of which would be a counselor, resulting in an estimated 20 to 25% increase in caseload.”

Speakers also pressed the board on proposed benefit changes. Lisa Ashworth, a veteran teacher, said the board’s plan to cut employer-paid dental insurance would amount to a pay cut for many staff; she cited an estimated employee cost increase of about $28 per month. Union leaders warned that incremental reductions in benefits would exacerbate staff turnover: “One in ten teachers are now leaving this profession, and it’s because of benefits,” Ashworth said.

Some speakers asked the board to prioritize targeted local funding that had previously supported high‑growth or priority schools. Chris Tuttle, a librarian at South Garner High, asked the board to protect funds used to support staffing previously paid for with Title I dollars and described a one‑year bridge as insufficient: “A one‑year bridge loan simply can’t provide the lasting impact we’re aiming for,” he said.

Board members did not take a vote on the budget at the hearing. Chair Hagerty reminded speakers that the board’s proposal is the district’s ask and that final allocations will reflect negotiations with county and state officials. The board scheduled additional public hearings and budget advisory sessions to gather more community input before adopting a final budget.

Speakers urged the board to request the full funding they said students need and to delay any cuts until other revenue shortfalls are certain. Several called for alternatives to staff reductions — including seeking county support, pursuing grants, or reprioritizing capital funds to accelerate facility and safety work that could reduce operating pressures.

The board heard dozens of additional individual testimonies during the hearing, from school counselors, classroom teachers and students describing how counselor and social worker reductions would affect campus safety, attendance and college- and career-readiness programs. The superintendent and district staff offered to meet with groups and said they would continue refining recommendations for presentation to the board and the county commissioners.