Wake County School Budget Nears Final Approval as State and County Decisions Loom
Budget and Finance Committee meeting clears up confusion, prepares to adopt interim plan while awaiting final funding
Holly Springs, NC, May 28, 2025 — The Wake County Public School System’s Budget and Finance Committee met on May 27 to walk through key elements of the district’s proposed $2.3 billion budget (download file), clear up some common misconceptions, and outline what’s next as officials wait for final budget decisions from both the county and the state.
The meeting followed months of work that began earlier this year and included multiple board work sessions, public hearings, and three regional input sessions held across the county—something new this year aimed at giving more families a chance to weigh in.
The committee’s latest discussion came on the heels of vocal pushback from residents and educators who have urged Wake County leaders to fund the school system’s budget request fully. Concerns raised at prior public meetings and input sessions included the potential impact of staffing reductions and the perception that the school system was being forced to operate with fewer resources at a time of growing student needs.
Clearing Up the Record
Much of the May 27 meeting focused on addressing some of the most persistent misconceptions circulating in the community. Among the key points:
Staff dental insurance is not being eliminated. While there was once a proposal to shift premium costs to employees, that idea was ultimately removed, and the board’s current budget keeps dental coverage unchanged.
No cuts are being made to classroom staffing. Teacher formulas remain the same at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Roughly 50 positions are being reduced, but through vacant roles and reassignment, not layoffs. Officials say nearly everyone affected has already been placed in new roles or is in the process of being placed.
Although direct classroom staffing is untouched, leaders acknowledged that some operational cuts—such as reducing how often supplies are delivered to schools—could have indirect effects on instruction.
County and State Budget Gaps
The school board has requested $40.3 million in additional funding from Wake County to help cover the costs of four new schools, higher benefit expenses, and other necessary needs. The county manager has proposed $35 million, leaving a gap of just over $5 million.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Raleigh are still debating their budget. The House and Senate proposals take very different approaches. The Senate version leans toward smaller teacher raises and deeper cuts to education. At the same time, the House budget includes higher teacher pay, restores extra pay for teachers with master’s degrees, and increases funding for special education services.
One concern raised during the meeting: the Senate proposal would eliminate funding for stipends paid to aspiring assistant principals during their internships—a move that school leaders said could harm leadership development.
Looking Ahead
Due to pending budget decisions from both the county and the state, the school board plans to adopt an interim budget in June. This temporary measure would enable WCPSS to continue operating without launching any new initiatives until the final funding figures are available.
The committee also plans to dig deeper into future topics—such as Title I funding and capital improvement plans—when it meets again in August.
While no final decisions were made at the May 27 meeting, committee members expressed confidence that the district’s recent presentations to Wake County Commissioners helped strengthen support and understanding of its funding needs.
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