Pender County Schools is grateful for the $6 million in capital funding approved for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Capital funding supports facility, maintenance, HVAC, transportation, technology, equipment, and long-term infrastructure needs. These investments are important because school buildings, buses, technology systems, and campus infrastructure directly affect students and staff every day.
The district’s capital priorities are guided by safety, facility condition, instructional impact, and long-term cost avoidance. Needs across the district include deferred maintenance, HVAC improvements, transportation needs, technology infrastructure, furniture, athletics, and other facility and site improvements.
Capital funding helps address these important needs, but it is separate from current-expense funding.
Current-expense funding supports the day-to-day operations of schools, including staffing, instructional support, student services, school operations, and other recurring costs.
PCS appreciates the county’s capital investment and will use those funds to address important long-term needs. At the same time, the district continues to face a current-expense gap after receiving a $1.3 million increase toward a $4 million base-level request to maintain current staffing levels and services.
Both needs matter. Safe, well-maintained schools matter. So do the staff, services, and daily operations that support students inside those schools.