Wake County Residents Urge Full Funding for Public Schools During 2025-26 Budget Hearing
The budget is now in the hands of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, who are responsible for determining the final level of county funding for the school system.
Holly Springs, NC, May 20, 2025 — At the May 19th meeting of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, residents and educators delivered a forceful appeal for full funding of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) budget. Their calls focused on urgent issues ranging from staffing shortages and school infrastructure failures to widening educational disparities, all of which they argue are being intensified by chronic underfunding.
Speakers urged the commissioners to approve the $445.3 million funding request submitted by the WCPSS Board and, in some cases, asked for an additional $45 million. They highlighted specific gaps in student support, including an unsustainable student-to-counselor ratio of 1:450, far above the national recommendation of 1:250. The proposed budget includes just under $755,000 for counselor positions, a modest increase given the scale of the district’s need.
Clerical staff capacity and safety concerns were also emphasized. Public commenters warned that current staffing levels, even with a proposed $1.1 million investment, leave large schools, such as those serving more than 2,600 students, at risk of being critically understaffed in front-office roles essential to school security and operations.
Facilities issues were another repeated theme. Residents described classrooms lacking basic climate control, like air conditioning and fans, as hindering learning and driving teachers to seek employment elsewhere. The budget allocates nearly $5.7 million to cover increased maintenance and utility costs due to new schools and additional facility square footage. Still, residents questioned whether it would address long-standing problems in older buildings.
A central concern for many was Wake County’s low ranking in per-pupil funding. WCPSS ranks 114th out of 115 North Carolina school districts in state funding and 100th in federal funding. One speaker summarized this disparity by noting, “We are the largest district in North Carolina, and we are the 14th largest district in the nation, and yet we are ranked 114th of 115th in receiving federal funding and state funding.” Despite local funding ranking 14th statewide, many expressed that relying on local taxpayers to cover what the state and federal governments do not is inequitable and unsustainable.
The proposed WCPSS budget reflects these concerns, with over 83% of its $2.28 billion operating budget allocated to salaries and benefits, a significant strain in the face of rising costs and filled vacancies. Meanwhile, $81.5 million in local funding is redirected to charter schools, which speakers criticized as siphoning resources from traditional public schools already under pressure.
One speaker encapsulated the stakes by warning, “We are asking for full funding of our public schools because we know what happens when we don’t. Students of poverty, students of color, and students with disabilities are more likely to fall through the cracks, more likely to drop out of school, and less likely to have the support systems in place that will help them succeed.”
In addition to the live public hearing, 11 online comments were submitted supporting school funding. The commissioners did not respond directly during the meeting but acknowledged the feedback and confirmed that budget deliberations would continue.
What’s Next in the WCPSS Budget Process (as of May 21st)
What’s Already Completed
March 18th: Superintendent presented the proposed budget to the school board.
April 8th–23rd: Public hearings and community input sessions were held.
May 6th: The School board approved the proposed budget.
May 15th: The WCPSS budget proposal was formally submitted to the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
Current Phase
The budget is now in the hands of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, who are responsible for determining the final level of county funding for the school system. The school board cannot levy taxes, so it depends heavily on county appropriation.
What Happens Next
Commissioner Budget Deliberations (In Progress):
Commissioners held work sessions (May 12 and 22) and public hearings (May 19 and 20) to discuss the full county budget, including school funding.June 2nd – County Adopts Final Budget:
The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to adopt the county budget on June 2. This decision will determine how much local funding WCPSS receives for the 2025–26 school year.Post-Adoption – Adjustments if Needed:
If the county approves less than the requested amount, the school board will revise its budget accordingly, potentially scaling back initiatives or programs.
Final adjustments are typically made in June, with implementation beginning July 1st.
Remaining Key Dates
June 2nd: The County determines the final school funding level
June (TBD): School board revises budget (if needed) based on funding
July 1st: New fiscal year begins; final WCPSS budget goes into effect
Contact Wake County Commissioners
Note: If you don’t know your commissioner, search by your address here.
‣ Susan Evans (Chair)
Email: susan.evans@wake.gov
Term: Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025
‣ Don Mial (Vice‑Chair, District 1)
Email: don.mial@wake.gov
‣ Safiyah Jackson (District 2)
Email: safiyah.jackson@wake.gov
‣ Cheryl Stallings (District 3)
Email: cheryl.stallings@wake.gov
‣ Tara Waters (District 5)
Email: tara.waters@wake.gov
‣ Shinica Thomas (District 6)
Email: shinica.thomas@wake.gov
‣ Vickie Adamson (District 7)
Email: vickie.adamson@wake.gov