Lee County adopts FY2025-26 budget after heated public hearing focused on school funding

The Lee County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the county's fiscal year 2025-26 budget following a public hearing in which dozens of residents, school officials and nonprofit leaders called for larger investments in public education and county services.

At a public hearing opened by the board on June 16, dozens of speakers urged the commissioners to increase support for Lee County Schools, citing staffing shortages, teacher pay and the impacts of growth on school capacity. Many speakers tied school funding to broader community outcomes such as public safety, economic development and health.

Why it matters: The budget sets county spending priorities for the next year and determines how much local funding the school system, fire districts and nonprofits receive. Several speakers said the proposed budget fell short of those priorities and urged commissioners to restore or increase allocations for classrooms, classified staff and community services.

The hearing drew long remarks from school system supporters. Alan Rummel, who identified himself as a taxpayer and parent, told commissioners the schools had made measurable improvements and urged the board to "step up and make the investment required to sustain it." A former and current Lee County teacher who identified her last name as Krivensky recounted classroom experience and said low pay was pushing experienced teachers to neighboring districts. Kayla Wibalda, president of the Lee County Association of Educators, said, "Public education does the public good" and asked the board to make all students a priority.

Lee County Schools' superintendent, speaking at the public hearing, warned the proposed county allocation "covers survival, not progress," and asked commissioners not to approve the proposed budget as presented. Sherry Lynn Womack, chair of the Lee County Board of Education, told the commission: "There is a war against traditional public schools ... It's time we stop applauding their resilience and start funding with reality."

Nonprofit and community voices also addressed the budget. Mary Murphy of Boys and Girls Club of Central Carolina thanked the board for a recommended grant but emphasized the organization relies on fundraising for roughly 75% of its budget. Representatives of Helping Hand Clinic outlined the clinic's role serving uninsured residents and asked the board to restore previously recommended funding.

Board action and process: Before voting on the budget ordinance, the commissioners unanimously waived a board policy that normally prohibits voting on the same day as a public hearing. The board then voted to approve the FY2025-26 budget ordinance later in the meeting. Several commissioners publicly urged further review before final action; Commissioner Martin and Commissioner Knecht asked that staff re-examine the budget to identify possible savings, and the board directed human resources to undertake a pay-study review for detention officers to assess long-term costs (see clarifying details).

Direct quotes and context: - "We are not asking for excess. We are asking for enough," Lee County Schools Superintendent (unnamed in transcript) told the board. - "Public education does the public good," said Kayla Wibalda, president of the Lee County Association of Educators. - "This grant will allow us to continue providing a safe and supportive environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive," Mary Murphy of Boys and Girls Club of Central Carolina said about a recommended grant.

What the budget does and does not do: The meeting record shows commissioners discussed capital projects (including a new athletic park and library) and recurring staffing costs. Several commissioners emphasized a desire to avoid a tax increase, and at least one commissioner said they would redirect their own commission salary for FY2025-26 toward school needs. The record includes comparisons to neighboring counties and differing interpretations of per-pupil spending figures; county staff provided per-pupil numbers during the hearing but speakers debated their meaning and implications.

Next steps: Commissioners who asked for further review said they would revisit the budget details before full implementation; the board also asked staff to prepare longer-term analyses of staffing and detention pay to inform future budgets. The budget ordinance was adopted at the June 16 meeting after the public hearing and vote.

Ending note: The public hearing on the budget brought a sustained turnout of residents and school employees. Speakers repeatedly framed the choice as one between investing now to support students and staff or risking long-term costs to the community.