Budget Proposal for 2025-2026
The New Hanover County Schools budget is mainly based on the number of students attending. The district projects a decrease of 259 students compared to last year, which equates to $1.8 million less for the operating budget. They anticipate having a student body of 24,599.
However, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes said that because of his budget priorities of hiring more staff ($2 million), including pre-K and children with disabilities services, keeping up with inflation ($770,000), and funding some school safety initiatives ($5 million), he will ask the county commission to add $8 million to the district’s operating budget. Last year, NHCS received $194.5 million from the state, $102 million from the county commission, and $19.6 million from the federal government, for a total operating budget of $316.8 million.
Chief Financial Officer Ashley Sutton announced they are banking on at least a 3% raise for teachers and staff by the General Assembly but said the state budget is still being hashed out in Raleigh. They also expect employer retirement and health insurance rates to increase by 1% and 5%, respectively…