06/18/2026
Opinion Piece
Sarah Ware
Over the past several months, Pender County residents have watched budget discussions unfold between Pender County Schools and the Board of County Commissioners. While budgets are often discussed in terms of numbers, percentages, and tax rates, the reality is much simpler: budgets are statements of priorities.
As a parent, PTA president, and member of several district advisory committees, I have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible work happening in our schools. I have also witnessed the growing challenges our educators face as they attempt to provide a quality education with resources that lag behind neighboring districts.
The question before our commissioners is not whether education is important. Everyone agrees it is. The question is whether we are willing to invest in the future we claim to want.
The answer should be yes.
Morally and ethically, public education is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of local government. Every child deserves access to qualified teachers, safe facilities, academic opportunities, extracurricular activities, and the support systems necessary to succeed. When funding falls short, children do not receive fewer needs. They simply receive fewer opportunities.
Pender County is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina. Families continue moving here because of our quality of life, strong communities, and public schools. Yet our school system is expected to absorb growth while simultaneously operating with fewer local resources than many neighboring districts. Pender County Schools’ own budget presentations have highlighted ongoing challenges related to staffing, teacher recruitment, school safety, and competitive compensation. The district has specifically identified teacher supplements that continue to trail neighboring counties, making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain high-quality educators. [Port City Daily]
This is not simply a school issue. It is an economic development issue.
Businesses considering relocation evaluate the strength of local school systems before investing. Young families examine school quality before purchasing homes. Realtors routinely market school districts as a major selling point. Property values are closely tied to public education.
A county that underfunds its schools is effectively undermining one of its greatest economic assets.
Neighboring districts understand this reality. New Hanover County has historically invested significantly more local dollars into its schools than Pender County. New Hanover’s local budget support has allowed it to provide stronger teacher supplements and additional local positions that help support student achievement and school operations. By comparison, Pender County continues to struggle to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining educators. Recent budget discussions noted that New Hanover’s teacher supplements range from approximately $7,000 to $10,000, with some hard-to-fill positions receiving up to $12,000, while Pender’s certified staff supplements remain substantially lower. [Port City Daily]
The result is predictable. When talented teachers can earn significantly more by crossing county lines, many eventually do.
The cost of turnover is enormous. Recruiting, hiring, training, and onboarding new educators requires time and money. More importantly, students lose continuity and relationships that contribute directly to academic success.
Some argue that fiscal restraint requires limiting school funding. However, true fiscal responsibility means making investments that generate long-term returns. Public education is one of the highest-return investments a community can make. Strong schools contribute to workforce development, economic growth, reduced crime, higher property values, and increased civic engagement.
The alternative is far more expensive.
When schools are underfunded, class sizes increase. Teacher vacancies grow. Student support services diminish. Academic performance suffers. Recruitment becomes harder. Families begin looking elsewhere. Employers take notice.
These outcomes are not fiscally conservative. They are fiscally shortsighted.
The strategic plans developed by Pender County Schools were created through extensive community input and stakeholder engagement. Parents, educators, business leaders, and community members helped establish goals focused on student achievement, workforce readiness, staff retention, and long-term sustainability. Yet those goals cannot be achieved without the resources necessary to implement them. A strategic plan without funding is simply a wish list.
The people of Pender County have consistently demonstrated that they value education. Parents volunteer thousands of hours. Teachers routinely spend their own money on classroom supplies. Community organizations step forward to fill gaps whenever possible.
But volunteers cannot replace sustainable public investment.
As commissioners finalize budget decisions, I urge them to view education not as a line item to be minimized, but as an investment to be protected.
Because every budget tells a story.
The story we choose to tell should be that Pender County believes in its children, values its educators, honors its commitments, and understands that the strongest path toward future prosperity begins in our classrooms.
Anything less is not only morally and ethically wrong—it is fiscally irresponsible.
Author’s Disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are solely those of Sarah Ware and are offered in her personal capacity as a parent, Pender County resident, and advocate for public education. This commentary is intended to encourage informed community discussion about public school funding and its effects on students, families, educators, and the broader community.
This article is nonpartisan and does not endorse or oppose any political party, candidate, or ideology. References to elected officials, government bodies, budgets, or policy decisions are provided for public commentary and civic engagement.
The opinions expressed do not represent the official views, positions, or policies of North Topsail Elementary School, the North Topsail Elementary PTA, Pender County Schools, the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, the Strategic Plan Advisory Team, the School Improvement Team, or any other orhganization or group with which the author is affiliated.
Readers are encouraged to review relevant public records, budget documents, and official statements and to draw their own conclusions.
Pender County Schools received a $1.3 million increase in current-expense funding and $6 million in capital funding for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
The capital funding is significant and will help address facility, maintenance, HVAC, transportation, technology, and long-term infrastructure needs.
However, the current-expense increase remains below the amount PCS requested to maintain existing staffing levels and services. The district identified a $4 million increase as the amount needed to maintain current services without adding anything new for the upcoming school year.
Receiving $1.3 million in current-expense funding still leaves a $2.7 million operating gap.
District and school leadership will now assess priorities to determine what can be funded, delayed, reduced, or addressed through other available resources.
Our goal remains to protect students and classrooms. Read more at https://www.pender.k12.nc.us/article/3001202
