WFAE

In May, the Gaston County Commissioners approved the Gaston County Schools budget. It kept funding flat from last year – and at about $54 million in operating costs, fell below the district’s ask of around $60.4 million.

It capped off weeks of tensions around school funding – including the county’s emergency infusion of $10 million to address a midyear shortfall, layoffs ahead of next school year, and significant community outcry over the district’s tenuous financial situation.

Months later, the questions about school funding in Gaston County remain unresolved.

The county’s budget approval came with a caveat – the county called for joint meetings between commissioners and school board members to come up with a “master plan” that could better identify the district’s needs. Based on those talks, more funding could then come in the form of a one-time expenditure from county fund balances – and then potentially folded into future budgets.

Full story: WFAE.org or link in bio.
📄: James Farrell
📷: WFAE