Dear WCPSS Community,

Ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education requires careful financial planning, especially as costs continue to rise. This evening, I presented my proposed budget to the Board of Education, which requests a $40.3 million increase in county funding while also realigning $20.2 million in existing funds to sustain core services. This budget does not introduce new programs but focuses on maintaining our schools and supporting students despite financial challenges.

What's included

• Opening four new schools – Funding for staffing, transportation, and operations to accommodate student growth.
• Employee compensation – Funding to cover an estimated pay increase by the NC General Assembly and ensures newly hired teachers receive local master’s pay.
• Student Support Services – Funding to continue to support counselor, social worker, and psychologist positions that were moved from expiring federal pandemic relief funds to local funding.

What’s not included

• No new programs or initiatives.
• No new funding for multi-year projects.

Why does the budget need more funding?

Rising costs continue to challenge our district. Key cost drivers include:

• Filling more positions – While past staffing shortages led to salary savings, recent successful hiring efforts for teachers and bus drivers mean fewer unspent salary dollars.
• Rising costs – Inflation and higher prices for insurance, utilities, fuel, and classroom supplies add to financial pressures.
• Charter school pass-through – By law, WCPSS must transfer a portion of local funding to charter schools. Any increase in local funding also increases these required payments.
• North Carolina’s low education funding – The state ranks 48th in education funding, spending $4,868 less per student than the national average. Pending legislation could positively impact public education funding, and we are closely monitoring these developments.

Strategic budget reductions

Strong schools require both classroom support and district-wide infrastructure. The goal is to balance financial responsibility with student needs while minimizing disruptions to teaching and learning. My proposal includes targeted budget reductions aimed at minimizing the impact on students and classrooms. You can view a full list of reductions on our website.

What happens next?

The Board of Education will review this proposal over the next several weeks, gather community feedback, and make adjustments before submitting a final budget request to the Wake County Commissioners. Key dates include:

• April 8: Public hearing at the Board of Education meeting.
• April 11 and 16: Community Budget Sessions (see locations in the Budget Timeline at right)
• May 6: Board of Education votes on the budget.
• By May 15: The Board of Education’s proposed budget is submitted to County Commissioners.

We recognize that some of these decisions are difficult, and we remain committed to supporting our staff, students, and families through this process. I encourage you to stay informed and engaged as we work together to ensure a strong future for Wake County’s children.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert P. Taylor
Superintendent
Wake County Public School System