Holly Springs, NC, Jun 3, 2025 — The Wake County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a record-setting $672.3 million operating budget for the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), including a $5.3 million increase added during the board’s final budget vote. The last-minute amendment capped weeks of public advocacy and board debate over how to meet growing school needs. In addition to the operating budget, commissioners also approved $413.7 million in capital funding to support technology, school safety upgrades, and long-term facility planning.
How the $672.3M Operating Budget Will Be Spent
The Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) WCPSS operating budget is heavily focused on staffing and student-facing services. According to the school board’s proposed budget:
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$553.1 million (82.3%) is allocated for salaries and benefits, covering compensation and benefits for teachers, support staff, administrators, and central office employees.
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$48.1 million (7.2%) is budgeted for purchased services, which include contracts for transportation, utilities, custodial support, and specialized student services.
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$27.2 million (4.0%) will be allocated toward supplies and materials, including instructional resources, classroom technology, textbooks, and maintenance supplies.
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$5.6 million (0.8%) is designated for capital outlay, including minor equipment purchases and non-recurring infrastructure costs within schools.
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$38.3 million (5.7%) falls under “other” expenditures, including insurance, fund transfers, and contingencies.
This distribution highlights the district’s ongoing focus on personnel and service delivery as it navigates enrollment growth, staffing pressures, and instructional demands across its diverse and expansive system.
$5.3M Operating Boost Approved After Public Pressure
While the Wake County Public School System initially requested a $62 million increase in local funding, the county manager’s proposed budget recommended only a $35 million increase. During the final budget adoption, the Board of Commissioners approved an additional $5.3 million, bringing the total year-over-year increase in local support to $40.3 million, still $21.7 million short of the district’s original request.
Though the county allocated the funds to WCPSS’s local current expense budget, which typically covers staffing, classroom materials, and operational costs, the county did not specify how the additional $5.3 million would be spent. That decision is expected to be finalized by the WCPSS Board of Education in the coming weeks.
One board member emphasized that the move reflected a long-term commitment to students and the county’s future.
Understanding the $413.7M WCPSS Capital Budget
Wake County’s FY2026 capital budget for public schools totals $413.7 million and represents one of the county’s largest single-year investments in education infrastructure. The plan is structured in two parts: $58.5 million will be funded through general fund transfers and reserves, while the remaining $355.3 million will be financed through new debt expected to be authorized later this year.
What’s Included in the $58.5M Direct Funding
The county provided detailed allocations for the portion of capital expenses supported by cash reserves and existing revenue. These include:
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$27.3 million for student and staff devices
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$17 million for space needs analysis and prioritization projects
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$7.4 million for school infrastructure improvements (e.g., HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems)
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$5.2 million for school safety and security enhancements
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$963,164 for administrative lease costs
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$600,000 for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) assessments
These investments are designed to support digital access, modernize existing facilities, and prepare for future enrollment growth.
How the $355.3M in Anticipated Debt Will Be Used
The remaining $355.3 million in capital funding will be financed through new debt; however, the adopted ordinance does not specify the projects. Based on historical precedent and ongoing facility planning, the funding is expected to support:
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New school construction in areas of high population growth
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Major renovations and expansions of existing schools
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Land acquisition for future school sites
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Districtwide upgrades, including roofing, HVAC, energy efficiency measures, and ADA compliance
This long-term funding approach aligns with WCPSS’s ongoing efforts to manage capacity pressures and aging infrastructure across one of the nation’s largest school districts.
Budget Approved, But Not Without Concerns
While the final vote signaled broad support, the process surfaced tensions over how the county should handle education and public service funding in the face of state-level disinvestment…