Cabarrus County considers $342M school funding request
The total ask is $341,813,999 for the upcoming fiscal year. The superintendent's Proposed 2025-2026 Local Budget was adopted by school board members Monday evening.
Commissioners heard the proposal on Tuesday. Financial planners are currently working to reduce an $11 million shortfall for the current budget due to unexpected expenses and funding sources falling through. The district's chief financial officer, Phillip Penn, said they have already reduced the difference to $8.6, and he feels confident they can close the gap by next year.
District leaders cite lost revenue as the major contributor to the budget shortfall. They predict the district will lose more than $1.5 million from a reduction in Medicaid reimbursements. In total, experts anticipate CCS will have $2.8 million in income in the 2025-2026 school year.
Officials and parents are concerned about the district's ability to serve students with disabilities with the Exceptional Children's program. District leaders say the cost of providing specialty services and the number of students who need them continue to increase. Data shows there are an estimated 4,455 students in EC programs, a 17% increase from 2020. Federal funding decreased for the services in 2024, and temporary ESSER funds ran out. The historically underfunded EC services were short by more than $9.8 million for the past year.
Parents have also raised concerns about the proposed elimination of 60 positions. The move would save approximately $3 million, according to Penn.
Commissioners will vote on the request later this spring.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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