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Gaston County Schools approves budget request amid layoffs and begins feasibility study for possible school consolidations
Summary
The board voted unanimously to submit a 2026–27 budget request to the county as Superintendent Dr. Housard described reduced state funding, a $10 million temporary county transfer and district staffing reductions. The district also announced a feasibility study (to be presented May 4) on potential consolidations including W.B. Beam Intermediate.
The Gaston County Board of Education voted April 20 to approve the school system's 2026–27 budget request for submission to the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, after a presentation by Superintendent Dr. Housard about funding constraints, staffing reductions and capital needs.
Dr. Housard told the board the district has relied on three funding sources — federal, state and local — and described recent fiscal pressures from the loss of COVID‑era funding and lower state allotments. He told the board the district had borrowed $10 million from the county to make payroll through June and said the system is operating with less revenue than in prior years.
The nut graf: the board approved sending its local operating and capital maintenance requests to county commissioners after deliberation on tradeoffs between personnel and capital funding; members emphasized that capital/bond funds cannot legally be used to pay personnel costs.
Board discussion noted recent personnel actions: speakers and the superintendent referenced a reduction‑in‑force process and notices issued to employees. One public commenter said the district announced layoffs affecting 174 positions last week; the superintendent said the district is working to reassign affected staff where possible.
During deliberation, board members discussed supplement levels for teacher pay and the district's fund balance; the superintendent said staff reduced about $3 million from previously proposed benefits and salary lines to arrive at a realistic 2026–27 operational ask. The board voted unanimously to approve the budget request and transmit it to county government.
On facilities, Superintendent Housard outlined a formal feasibility process under North Carolina General Statute 115C‑72 for any school closure or consolidation. He said the district is conducting a utilization and feasibility study for several potential changes, including consolidation of Gaston Early College and Gaston Virtual Academy resources, and a specific feasibility study for moving students from W.B. Beam Intermediate to John Chavis Middle School and other nearby campuses.
Housard said the feasibility study will be presented to operations and curriculum committees on May 4, posted publicly, followed by open houses for impacted families and a public hearing; he said the board could take a final vote as early as the June board meeting.
A point of clarification from the meeting: the district emphasized that bond and capital maintenance funds are restricted to capital projects (roofing, HVAC, turf, etc.) and cannot be re‑appropriated to pay staff salaries, a restriction that framed much of the board's budget discussion.
The meeting record shows the board approved the budget request and the consent agenda (which included multiple capital projects) unanimously during the April 20 meeting.
