Pender County Schools leaders, Board of Education members, and school principals outlined the impact of a $2.7 million local budget shortfall during a special called meeting Tuesday, June 23.
The district had requested a $4 million increase in local operational funding for the 2026–2027 school year to maintain current staffing levels and essential services. District leaders said the request was not for new programs or positions, but to cover mandated increases in employee retirement, health insurance, FICA/Social Security, Medicare, and other costs tied to current operations.
Because approximately 86 percent of the district’s operational budget supports staffing, the shortfall has led to difficult decisions. Proposed reductions include the loss of 21 employee positions, a 25 percent reduction in substitute funding, elimination of school professional development funds, and reduced district-level support for instruction, Exceptional Children services, and beginning teacher development.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Breedlove said the positions being moved from district-level support roles back into classrooms have played an important role in the district’s recent progress. Since his arrival, the number of state-designated low-performing schools in Pender County Schools has decreased from eight to three. While the district is not yet able to release academic results from the most recent school year, leaders said the data reflects continued progress worth celebrating.
Board members acknowledged the seriousness of the shortfall and the need for continued conversations with county leaders.
Board member Tom Reeves called the situation “heartbreaking” and asked whether bond funding could be used to address the shortfall. Dr. Breedlove explained that bond funds are restricted for specific capital uses and cannot be used for personnel.
Board member Beth Burns said the impact reaches beyond staffing.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just the staff the funding deficit hurts, it’s also our students,” Burns said.
Burns said the district has worked to protect classrooms as much as possible, but without additional support, increased class sizes and reduced student services may become unavoidable.
“This is the future of our county, and nothing is more important than the kids in those classrooms,” Burns said.
School leaders also shared concerns about how the reductions could affect students and staff.
C.F. Pope Elementary Principal Brittany Moore outlined concerns for her school. Moore wrote that C.F. Pope, a Title I school serving a high-needs population, is at a pivotal point in its improvement journey and is on the brink of exiting low-performing school status.
Moore said the loss of the school’s Instructional Coach and Beginning Teacher Coach positions would directly affect student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and school improvement efforts.
“These roles are not administrative luxuries; they are essential components of our school improvement efforts and directly contribute to student achievement and teacher effectiveness,” Moore wrote.
She added that staffing reductions are ultimately student-impact decisions.
“Every coaching conversation, collaborative planning session, data analysis meeting, and classroom support opportunity translates into stronger instruction and improved outcomes for children,” Moore wrote.
Pender High School Principal Nick Paquette described Pender County as “small but mighty” and said the 21 employees affected by the reductions are “worthy” and “distinguished.” He said the changes are not a reflection of their ability or value.
Paquette said Pender High serves approximately 650 students and relies heavily on school-based and district-level support. He said teachers will continue to serve students, but warned that the impact on classrooms is real.
“The reality that kids won’t be impacted by this is not a real thought that you could conceive,” Paquette said.
Crystal Hall, principal of Surf City Middle School, said schools on the east side of the county are already “busting at the seams” due to growth. She said the loss of beginning teacher support is especially difficult at a time when schools are working to recruit, support, and retain educators.
“The funding has to grow every year,” Hall said. “The needs get greater, the number of children grows.”
Dominique Bates, the district’s Career and Technical Education Director, urged leaders and the community to think beyond the dollar amount.
“I know this is about money, but don’t think about it that way,” Bates said. “It’s literally about life and death.”
Bates said the district is asking for approximately $270 per student and emphasized that education changes students’ lives and futures.
Stephen Harris, principal of Penderlea School, said instructional coaching positions are critical in a K-8 school setting because they provide teacher support, leadership, and expertise that help schools grow. He also praised the district’s Beginning Teacher Program, which has been recognized across the state.
“We’re the example of success, and now those critical pieces for that program are gone,” Harris said.
Katherine Bates, principal of South Topsail Elementary School, said several of the affected employees had been at her school the previous day and remained positive and focused on students.
“They continued to fight the good fight,” Bates said. “They were positive, and they inspire me.”
District leaders said Pender County Schools will continue serving students to the best of its ability, but the reductions will affect the systems of support that have helped teachers teach, schools improve, and students succeed.
A joint meeting between the Pender County Board of Education and the Pender County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be hosted by the Board of County Commissioners at 805 Walker Street, Burgaw, NC 28425.