Northampton County Schools requests nearly $500,000 to maintain operations and add attendance staff

Northampton County Schools presented its 2025–26 funding request to the Board of Commissioners, describing the district’s recent academic gains, a clean 2024 audit, and ongoing reliance on state revenues.

The district asked the county for $496,274 to continue current operations; staff noted that roughly $105,000 of any new county funding would have to be passed through to charter schools per state rules. The superintendent and consultants also requested $144,000 for two new positions focused on student attendance —bringing the total county request to about $496,274 for continuation and about $144,000 if the expansion is approved (the presentation summarized continuation plus expansion scenarios at roughly $496,274 total for continuation with an indicated expansion cost of about $144,000 separately).

During commissioner questions, officials confirmed the local teacher supplement is currently 3% for certified staff. Commissioners asked staff to model what an increase to 4% or 5% would cost and to return with proposals. Commissioners also asked whether classified staff (custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers) receive supplements; presenters said the supplement applies to certified employees and the district provides a one‑time holiday bonus to FTE employees. The superintendent said the district is targeting chronic absenteeism and proposed attendance liaisons as the top expansion priority.

School officials noted recent facility care, capital outlay supported by county dollars, and that the district has realigned nearly $92,976 internally to reduce new funding needs. The board did not take an appropriation vote at this meeting; staff said they will provide scenarios and an amended request for the county budget process.