CMS is asking Mecklenburg County for $667 million to boost teacher pay, close pay gaps, and fund student devices.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is asking county leaders to approve more than $667 million in operating funds as part of its proposed $1.95 billion budget for the 2025–26 school year.
The district is requesting an increase of $28 million over last year’s county appropriation — funding officials say is critical to maintain services, support staff pay, and invest in student learning.
The proposed budget includes a 3% raise for all CMS employees, including teachers and classified staff, along with an average 5% increase in teacher supplements to help the district remain competitive in hiring and retention.
It also continues investments in professional development and educator growth initiatives.
CMS is allocating $8.3 million to address long-standing pay disparities among classified staff and an additional $2 million to provide students with updated digital learning devices.
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District leaders say the budget reflects tough but strategic decisions, with lower-impact programs cut to preserve essential services. They also point to the expiration of federal COVID relief funding — known as ESSER — which had helped sustain key student support programs in recent years.
But even as CMS makes its case for more funding, some school board members say it’s still not enough.
During the school board’s budget approval on April 22, board member Summer Nunn expressed frustration that the district wasn’t asking for more from the county.
“The teachers that are in those classrooms are shaping our next generation and most of them can’t afford to live in this county or they have a second job or something else,” Nunn said. “So I’m disappointed because I think we should ask for more.”
The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners will review the budget request in a meeting scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7.
Even if approved, the CMS budget won’t be finalized until both the county and state budgets are passed in the coming weeks.
A public hearing and possible amendments will also take place before the district can move forward with its finalized plan for the next school year.
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