Cumberland County Schools (CCS) has released the Superintendent’s Recommended Budget for the 2026-27 school year. Totaling $670,802,801, the proposal is guided by the theme Achieving CCS Excellence: Striving to be the Best. Succeeding Together.
The recommended budget reflects an investment in the people and resources that most directly impact student success.
At the center of the recommendation is a request for a $6,549,394 increase in county funding, bringing the total local appropriation request to $110,284,233. The proposal includes a projected 2 percent salary increase, a $2.5 million increase in classified supplements and a $1 million increase in principal and assistant principal supplements, along with $3 million to address other district needs. In addition, the district is recommending the strategic use of $9,093,000 from fund balance to sustain staffing and operational continuity.
“This budget reflects our shared commitment to Achieving CCS Excellence,” said Dr. Eric C. Bracy, superintendent of Cumberland County Schools. “Excellence is not accidental. It is the result of intentional investment, thoughtful planning and a deep belief in the potential of every student.”
Investing in Our People
Strengthening compensation and retaining high-quality educators and staff remain central priorities. The proposal includes:
A projected 2 percent salary increase for certified and classified employees (to be finalized with the state budget)
Increasing classified staff supplements from 6 percent to 10 percent of salary
A $1 million increase in principal and assistant principal supplements
$3 million to address additional district operational needs
These investments build upon last year’s significant teacher supplement increase, which positioned CCS first in its immediate region for local teacher supplements. While this year’s proposal does not include an additional teacher supplement increase, it sustains the competitive position the district has worked to achieve.
“I want to express our sincere gratitude to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners for fully funding our request last year,” Bracy added. “Their continued partnership in supporting both our current expense budget and our capital outlay program demonstrates a shared belief in the power of public education and allows us to provide safe, modern and engaging learning environments for our students.”
Salaries and benefits account for approximately 79 percent of the district’s total budget, underscoring CCS’ commitment to supporting more than 6,000 employees who serve approximately 48,800 students (including pre-k).
Focused on Classroom Instruction and Student Support
Of the $670.8 million total budget, 73.5 percent is dedicated to instructional services, reinforcing the district’s focus on strong teaching and learning in every classroom. Additional funding supports system-wide services that ensure schools remain safe, well-maintained and fully operational.
The recommended budget was developed using input from various stakeholder groups and reflects priorities identified through community and Board engagement. These priorities include competitive compensation, staffing stability, student mental health supports, instructional resources, facility upgrades, technology modernization and school safety. Cumberland County Schools is working closely with the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to address approximately $800 million in deferred maintenance, including the Commissioners’ commitment of $300 million, while also supporting the planning and construction of new schools.
The proposal was presented to the Board of Education during its Finance Committee meeting and is now under review as part of the Board’s annual budget process. The Board will continue its review, may consider adjustments and is expected to vote on the proposed budget at an upcoming budget meeting. Once adopted, the district’s local funding request will be submitted to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners by May 15, 2026.
To read the full 2026-27 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget, visit www.ccs.k12.nc.us/budget.