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Orange County School Board urges state to pass 2026 appropriations act, cites pay and special-education shortfalls
Summary
The Orange County Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a 2026 appropriations act, asking for step increases, education salary supplements, more school health personnel and changes to exceptional children funding to match local needs.
The Orange County Board of Education voted to send a resolution to the North Carolina General Assembly urging immediate passage of a 2026 appropriation act, citing budget uncertainty that the board said has frozen pay scales, delayed capital projects and forced local spending to cover special-education gaps.
The resolution, discussed and approved during the board’s April 20 meeting, referenced North Carolina General Statute 143C-4-1 and 143C-5-4 and asked legislators to adopt provisions that the board said would stabilize district finances. The board asked that the enacted budget include step increases at every level, education-based salary supplements, an increase in the public school repair and renovation fund, and a weighted funding model for exceptional children that would raise the state cap toward 16% of allotted average daily membership.
Board materials presented the fiscal context: Orange County Schools receives roughly 51% of its funding from state appropriations, and the district said it must plan budgets for FY2027 without current knowledge of state funding. The resolution noted that 48 employee salaries remain frozen at 2024–25 levels and that rising health plan premiums have reduced net pay for some staff.
Board members praised the resolution as a tool for local advocacy. Chair Athetherton and others asked parents and community members to contact their legislators to press for a final appropriation that includes the measures listed in the board’s text.
The board authorized the chair and superintendent to disseminate the resolution to the governor and members of the General Assembly. The resolution was adopted by voice vote during the meeting; the official resolution text and the board’s letter will be distributed to legislators and posted to the district’s communications channels.
What’s next: The short legislative session convened April 21; the board encouraged constituents to attend advocacy events and contact legislators as the General Assembly considers budget measures referenced in the resolution.
