During the recent Finance Committee Meeting of the Public Schools of Robeson County, significant discussions centered around the urgent need for increased funding to maintain current educational services. The committee highlighted a request for $3 million for the 2024-2025 school year, with an additional $1.3 million received, but concerns remain about the remaining funding gap.

Committee members emphasized that the school system is not seeking expansion but rather a continuation budget to support existing programs and staff. The need for more financial resources was underscored, with officials noting that local funding is crucial to sustain operations. Comparisons were made to other school systems in the state, illustrating that Robeson County's funding requests are modest in contrast to larger increases sought by other districts.

In a positive development, Union Elementary School qualified for economically disadvantaged public school support funds, receiving $118,963. This funding will be used to provide bonuses to staff, similar to a previous initiative at Oxendine Elementary, where bonuses were distributed based on performance metrics.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue advocating for necessary funding to ensure that the school system can meet the needs of its students and staff. As the deadline for budget requests approaches on May 15, the committee remains focused on securing the financial support essential for maintaining educational standards in the community.