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School leaders urge county to approve 3% funding increase as pre-K shifts proposed to secure state reimbursements
Summary
District leaders told a joint committee they balanced next year’s budget largely on one-time funds, asked the county for a 3% ($~3.1M) increase to cover salary and benefit inflation, and proposed temporarily shifting two pre-K classrooms to capture about $178,000 in NC Pre‑K reimbursements while protecting enrolled children.
New Hanover County Schools officials told a joint county-school committee that the district has balanced a preliminary budget but is relying on one-time funds and carryovers, and that it needs a 3% increase from the county to avoid cutting student-facing staff.
Dr. Barnes, presenting staffing and budget analysis, walked the committee through a staff-cost exercise to show how salary plus benefits change the district’s actual expense for positions. "For us to invest in that employee, it's $86,065," Barnes said, using the example of an average plumber’s salary plus health insurance, Social Security and a retirement contribution. Barnes added that "a million…
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