CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At Tuesday's meeting, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education said the 2024-2025 budget report focuses on the district's most critical needs.
"That list has come to more than $126 million," a CMS school leader said.
One of the items mentioned in the report is raising the district's lowest-paid position to $17.25. The board said that would also include rewarding employees for years of service totaling up to $37 million.
"Out of the $37 million, it only takes about $2 million to get $17.25," a CMS rep. said. "Getting to the $17.25 is not that expensive, but what's expensive is then rewarding our long-term employees for years of service."
Other investments would pour millions towards sustaining operations with school resource officers, accommodating student growth, and prioritizing delayed maintenance to another 30 schools.
The maintenance of the schools alone totals $54 million.
"If you take the 184 schools, the 30 most severe are the ones that are in the bond package, and then the next 30 are the ones identified in the facility assessment," a CMS leader said.
As for what’s next, a budget recommendation will be made later this month with a public hearing for that proposal set for April 9.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.