Orange County manager Bonnie Hammersley is proposing a $174 increase in per-pupil funding in her recommended budget. But that recommendation still falls short of what each school district in the county is requesting.

Hammersley is proposing a total of $109.1 million for the county’s two districts – Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools. That figure represents 50.1 percent of Hammersley’s overall budget, which checks in above the 48.1 percent target previously established by the commissioners.

The $174 per-pupil increase being proposed is below $396 increase requested by Orange County and the $253 increase request from Chapel Hill – Carrboro.

Both school districts must receive the same per-pupil funding from the county, per state law.

County documents cite projections from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in reporting there is a projected decrease of nearly 200 students in Orange County Schools, which could be attributed in part to an increase of 152 students from the district moving to charter schools. Chapel Hill – Carrboro City School projections show an increase of 235 students in the district.

Increased costs projections for the upcoming fiscal year include anticipated teacher raises in the budget being negotiated by Republicans in the General Assembly. The increase is not expected to rise to the funding level in Governor Roy Cooper’s proposed budget. In addition to proposed teacher raises, Cooper is advocating for increased funding to hire school support personnel. He unveiled those details in a visit to Cedar Ridge High School in Orange County last month.

Thousands of teachers from across the state rallied in Raleigh last week on the first day of the short legislative session calling for an increase in education funding.

The county has held two public hearings on the budget, which commissioners will work to finalize before the summer break.

Thursday’s work session is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough.

Related Stories
‹
Governor Rolls Out School Safety Funding Pitch at Cedar Ridge High School
Governor Roy Cooper was shuffling through the hallways and offices of Cedar Ridge High School on Thursday, meeting with school support personnel – counselors, the school nurse. Cooper said these were vital roles for public education in North Carolina. “Often, people who could make more money doing something else,” Cooper said, “decide they want to […]
Orange County Creates Work Group to Advise Its Property Tax Revaluation Approach
The Orange County commissioners approved the creation of a work group to review and potentially update its property tax assessment process.
Orange, Chatham Counties Receive Expansion Funding from Great Trails State Program
Among the 37 trail development and restoration projects in the Piedmont region are trails in Orange and Chatham counties.
Orange County: Ongoing Flood Recovery Efforts + Uproar Festival Underway
Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell for an interview Wednesday, August 6.
Chapel Hill Approves Rezoning for Greene Tract Site, Hears Next Steps for Development
The Chapel Hill Town Council is making progress on developing the Greene Tract, meeting in June to rezone part of the site. 
Orange County's Governments Receive Budget Proposals, Grapple With Adding Taxes or Cutting Services
The managers of three Orange County local governments recommended adding to residents' increased tax bills in their FY26 budget proposals.
Orange County Approves Purchase of Hillsborough Site for Future Crisis Diversion Facility
The Orange County Board of Commissioners recently approved a land purchase for a future Crisis Diversion Facility. 
Orange County Preps for Revenue-Neutral Property Tax Rate Discussion; Board Chair Shares Threshold to Watch for Property Value
The Orange County Board of Commissioners will discuss the county's updated revenue-neutral property tax rate at its meeting on Tuesday, with the board chair revealing the threshold for how much property owners will see increases.
Orange County and Hillsborough Commissioners Review Timeline for Future Train Station
The future Hillsborough Station is currently set to be completed in 2027, but the town might have to wait a little longer to see it.
With Revaluation Underway, Orange County Faces Another Significant Rise in Property Values
Orange County is likely to see a jump of more than 50% in total property value this four-year cycle once revaluation appraisals are finished.
›