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Superintendent asks for $1.446 million local increase and $5 million in capital requests; board approves county submission
Summary
Edgecombe County Superintendent presented a 2025-26 local current expense request seeking a $1,446,000 increase to raise supplements and staff pay and a local capital request of just over $5 million; the board voted to submit the county budget request.
The Edgecombe County Board of Education voted May 12 to approve submission of the superintendent's county budget request for the 2025-26 school year after hearing a presentation on personnel and capital priorities.
The superintendent said the district is requesting a $1,446,000 increase in local current expense funding to "retain and attract the very best available individuals to teach and support our students," including raising the certified local supplement from 10% to 11% and increasing the classified supplement from $300 to $1,300. The request includes raises for bus drivers and athletic coaches and a proposal to ensure administrators earn at least a 7% supplement to align with teacher pay, which would primarily affect assistant principals.
On the capital side, the superintendent said the local capital request totals just over $5,000,000 to address aging facilities (HVAC rotation/replacement at middle schools and gymnasiums, parking lots, roof and other prioritized repairs). He noted the district used just over $12,000,000 of ESSER funding over the past four and a half years to upgrade facilities and that ESSER funds have been exhausted as of December 2024.
Board members asked questions about outstanding bond debt and ongoing transportation problems. One member pressed for an update on a bond repayment schedule because bond debt affects annual budgets; members also questioned whether increased pay would help recruit bus drivers. The superintendent said increasing hourly wages and recruitment efforts are part of the strategy but that hiring remains challenging.
After discussion, a board member moved and the board approved the superintendent's motion to submit the county budget request for 2025-26. The motion passed by voice vote.
