Wake County board approves proposed $768.2M county request, forwards budget to commissioners

The Wake County Board of Education on May 5 approved and forwarded its 2026–27 budget proposal to the county commissioners, asking for a $25.3 million increase in local support that would bring the board’s county appropriation request to $768.2 million as part of a $2.3 billion total operating request.

Board budget chair Mr. Haggerty moved adoption of the board’s document, which staff presented as a revision of the superintendent’s earlier proposal. Ms. Kimsey and Ms. Posey briefed the board on the technical changes that shaped the board’s version, including $4 million in additional IDEA carryover to delay some special‑education local transitions, $1 million in community‑schools carryover to cover one‑time utility costs, and a series of base budget reductions and pauses the board agreed to in a work session earlier the day of the vote.

The superintendent’s original operating budget included $1.3 billion in state funds, $853 million in local funding and $170 million in federal funds. Staff said the superintendent’s plan had included a $14 million local increase for employee compensation, a $3.4 million cost to open Hilltop Needmore Elementary and add grade 11 at Felton Grove High, and program continuity investments intended to preserve special‑education and magnet teacher roles.

Under the board’s adjustments, staff said the budget preserves funding that would otherwise have reduced special‑education positions, reduces the high‑school assistant‑principal formula (cutting two top tiers), pauses the annual alignment increase to the extra‑duty pay schedule, and temporarily changes dental plan parameters to control costs. Staff also reported using $18.5 million of fund balance consistent with board policy and reallocating roughly $611,000 from one‑time legal settlement funds to approved programs.

During more than three hours of deliberation, board members repeatedly emphasized special education as a top priority while noting the county manager had included the board’s $25.3 million request in his recommended county budget. Mr. Haggerty framed the vote as a step that preserved critical services while acknowledging structural revenue pressure at the state and county levels. Several board members urged continued advocacy at the General Assembly for increased state support.

The motion passed by a 7–2 margin. The board’s approval authorizes staff to prepare the full document and submit the board’s proposed budget to the county commissioners by the May 15 statutory deadline; commissioners will consider the county manager’s recommended budget and the board’s request as part of their review.