Residents and educators urge supervisors to fully fund Cumberland County schools as FY2027 budget is presented

The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors heard more than an hour of public testimony on April 14 urging full funding of the Cumberland County Public Schools' FY2027 budget after the county administrator presented a recommended budget that holds tax rates steady.

At the start of the public hearing, the county administrator presented the draft FY2027 plan that includes a recommended 2% across-the-board pay increase for staff, no change to current tax rates, and proposed use of $1,850,000 in rollover funds. The recommended budget earmarks money for an elementary school roof in the capital-improvement plan but keeps many school and county requests at level funding or deferred to grant opportunities.

School staff and families told the board the budget as recommended would amount to a real cut in services. "Flat funding seems like stability, but in reality it is a cut," said Dr. Shores, the school division official addressing the board, who warned of an estimated $1.1 million shortfall tied to loss of state matching dollars. "With the proposed local funding and the potential loss of state funding tied to it, we're facing a shortfall of approximately $1,100,000."

Teachers, parents and former educators described program and safety impacts they said would result from reduced local support. "If you ask me what would be worthwhile risking a small tax increase in Cumberland County, I would tell you that it is our schools," said Nate Lang, a teacher and parent. He described career and technical programs and college-credit opportunities that he said depend on local funding.

Several speakers urged the board to address an urgent facilities problem: the county bus garage. "The current facility is outdated, unsafe and fails to accommodate the needs of our county schools' fleet," said Luke Fleischman, a retired educator who toured the bus shop with staff. He described mechanics working outdoors without lifts and said recruiting new mechanics will be difficult unless the facility is improved.

Other speakers stressed the broader community consequences of underfunding the schools, including potential loss of programs such as pre-K, summer school and career-readiness classes. "These programs increase engagement, reduce drop-off rates, and produce graduates who are prepared to enter the workforce," Lisa Winsler, a CTE instructor and parent, told the board.

Board members asked staff to verify statutory constraints and funding options before final decisions. "Make sure that would not pop the state code," the board chair said after a supervisor proposed considering a $0 equipment tax rate for diagnostic medical equipment to encourage health providers to locate in the county; staff said they would check state code and report back.

The public hearing remains open through April 21, with the board scheduled to adopt recommended tax rates and the FY2027 budget later in the month. The county administrator and staff said written and oral comments will be accepted until then and that the board will review specific budget impacts, including the school local match requirement.

Votes and other board action at the meeting included approval of a $10,000 appropriation received from Colonial Pipeline to buy a portable radio for emergency services and adoption of a resolution authorizing the county's participation in a proposed combined settlement addressing opioid-related claims against six remnant defendants. The board also voted to reject an unsolicited PPEA courthouse proposal while leaving open the possibility of soliciting proposals under PPEA timelines.

The board is expected to continue budget deliberations and take formal action on tax rates and the FY2027 budget at the April 21 meeting; public comment on the budget will remain open until that date.