At the April 13, 2026 meeting of the Chatham County Board of Education, the Board passed two resolutions related to school funding and legislative advocacy. These items reflect ongoing concerns about the stability of school funding, the importance of local decision-making, and the need to support students and educators across our district.
1. Resolution Urging Timely Passage of the State Budget
The Board adopted a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a state budget as soon as possible. As noted in the resolution, North Carolina is currently operating without an enacted budget, creating uncertainty for school districts trying to plan staffing, compensation, and programs for students. At the same time, the resolution advocates for:
- Competitive pay
- Increased school funding
- Improved support services for students
The resolution emphasizes that nearly half of Chatham County Schools’ funding—about 48.8%—comes from the state, making timely budget decisions critical for local planning and operations. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to strong public schools and called for collaborative, responsible funding decisions at the state level.
2. Resolution Opposing Limits on County Property Tax Authority
The Board also adopted a resolution opposing proposed changes that would limit county property tax authority, citing concerns about reduced local flexibility and potential impacts on essential public services.
Property taxes are the primary local funding source for public services including education. The Board expressed concern that restricting this authority could reduce flexibility for counties to respond to changing needs, population growth, and rising costs.
The resolution warns that limiting local tax authority could lead to:
- Reduced services
- Delayed infrastructure investments
- Increased reliance on less stable revenue sources
Ultimately, the Board formally opposed any constitutional or legislative changes that would cap or restrict counties’ ability to manage property tax rates locally.
In addition to these resolutions, Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson reaffirmed Chatham County Schools’ legislative priorities. Dr. Jackson will be presenting these priorities to Senator Thom Tillis during an upcoming visit.
The priorities focus on five key areas:
- Stable, predictable school funding so districts can plan responsibly
- Recruiting and retaining high-quality educators through competitive pay and strong support
- Safe, healthy learning environments with adequate staffing and mental health resources
- Fair and modern school accountability systems that reflect multiple measures of student success
- Investment in school facilities and future readiness, including construction, modernization, and career and technical education opportunities
Together, these priorities provide a framework for the policies and resources needed to support students, educators, and schools across Chatham County.
What These Actions Mean for Our Schools
Public education funding decisions made in Raleigh—and locally—have a direct impact on classrooms, teachers, and students in Chatham County. With these commitments, our Board is helping community members understand the challenges school systems face and the policies needed to support strong public schools.
At the Chatham Education Foundation, we believe informed communities build stronger schools. We encourage parents, community members, and partners to stay engaged, ask questions, and support policies that help students succeed.
Here’s a refresher on who pays for what when it comes to public education in North Carolina:
