Following the county’s 2026-2027 budget decision, Pender County Schools wants to help families, staff, and community members better understand the difference between current-expense funding and capital funding.
Both are important. However, they support different needs.
Current-expense funding supports the day-to-day operations of schools. This includes staffing, instructional support, student services, school operations, utilities, transportation operations, and other recurring costs.
Capital funding supports facility, maintenance, HVAC, transportation, technology, equipment, and long-term infrastructure needs. These needs also directly affect students and staff by helping provide safe, functional, and effective learning environments.
PCS is grateful for the additional capital funding approved for the upcoming year. That investment will help address important needs across the district.
However, capital funding does not solve the district’s current-expense challenge. PCS received a $1.3 million increase in current-expense funding, while the district identified a $4 million increase as the amount needed to maintain current staffing levels and services without adding anything new.
Receiving $1.3 million in current-expense funding means the district still faces a $2.7 million operating gap.
Over the next few weeks, district and school leadership will review priorities and determine which needs can be funded, delayed, reduced, or addressed through other available resources.
The district’s goal remains to protect students and classrooms by prioritizing classroom instruction, school safety, and the core operations necessary to serve students.