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Craven County Schools ask commissioners for $29.35 million in operating funds as enrollment declines
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Matt Cheeseman and CFO Heidi Daly presented the Craven County Schools FY27 request to the Board, seeking $29,346,954 in operating support and $3,543,576 in capital outlay and noting a $3.8 million funding gap to maintain minimum fund balance targets amid a decade-long drop in average daily membership.
Craven County Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Cheeseman and Chief Finance Officer Heidi Daly asked the Craven County Board of Commissioners on May 4 to consider an FY27 county appropriation request of $29,346,954 in operating expenditures and $3,543,576 in capital outlay.
The request, presented during a formal budget presentation, represents an operating increase of about $3.8 million and a capital increase of $1,437,537 from the previous year. Daly said the district’s funding gap for FY27 — the amount needed to maintain a minimum fund balance equal to one month of expenditures net of restricted funds — is $3.8 million.
The presentation highlighted a 10-year decline in Allotted Average Daily Membership (ADM), dropping from 15,091 in Academic Year 2016–17 to 11,644 in AY2025–26, a trend school leaders said affects state allotments and local budgeting. Dr. Cheeseman described efforts to bolster local educator pipelines through the district’s “Craven Commitment” and said district leadership is placing priority on student wellness, security and leadership supports for low-performing schools.
Daly outlined specific FY27 budget considerations that together total $1,035,000, including a projected 3% salary increase ($226,000), a retirement rate increase ($83,000), and a health insurance increase ($56,000). She also noted the State budget request includes an 11% increase for certified staff while the local supplement is budgeted at 10.5.
The district reported $30,319,675 in local expenditures by purpose (Instructional Services, System Wide Support Services, Charter School Allocation), and described $1.4 million in budget reductions achieved through zero‑based budgeting and potential savings from school closures (estimated $1.212 million). Daly said the schools developed a 10‑year capital plan and requested board consideration of listed Category I–III capital projects.
Board members asked follow-up questions about the local share of salary increase projections, per‑pupil expenditures, and certain capital items including HVAC and an Apple lease. Daly committed to providing the requested follow-up information to the Board.
The Board did not take action on the request at the meeting; a copy of the FY27 request was provided for commissioners' review and further consideration.
