Recent News

Thanks to everyone who attended our digital safety presentation at the last PTA meeting!  If you missed it or want more information, you will find useful handouts to help guide you and your family to safer internet usage!

Budget Issues

The Wake County Board of Education received a report on how the state budget affects WCPSS and what still needs to be done to finalize the district's 2026-27 budget. Watch the Board presentation.

The state budget includes:

• An average 8% pay increase for teachers and instructional support staff 

• A 3% pay increase for principals, Central Services and non-certified staff

• One-time bonuses for employees.

Decisions made in the final state budget require WCPSS to cover part of the cost of these pay increases with local dollars, and there is no additional local funding available, the district now faces a $17.6 million funding gap. WCPSS staff presented a proposed plan to close the gap:

• Using $5 million from the district's fund balance.

• Shifting eligible expenses to higher-than-expected state funding.

• Adjusting the budget for required payments to charter schools, based on prior-year spending.

• Removing a planned increase to the local salary supplement.

• Reducing some operating budgets, including substitute teacher, maintenance, Central Services and school per-pupil funding budgets, based on spending trends and available resources.

• Using available maintenance and operations funds to cover eligible expenses.

The Board will continue budget discussions throughout August before taking action on a final budget reconciliation plan and updated salary schedules.

💡 What this means for our kids:

• Larger class sizes

• Fewer support staff (counselors, interventionists, etc.)

• Delayed maintenance and facility needs

• Reduced programs and opportunities

🙌 What We Can Do

As parents and community members, our voices matter.

✔️ Advocate for full and sustainable funding for Wake County Public Schools

✔️ Stay informed and attend school board or county commissioner meetings

✔️ Speak up about the importance of investing in teachers, staff, and student resources

📣 Strong schools = strong communities.

Now is the time to show up and support Wake County students.

NC Public Education Funding Facts

Questions about advocacy or interested in joining?  

Email our advocacy committee chair at advocacy@weatherstonepta.com