Lee County Schools seeks $5.68M increase to raise teacher pay and per pupil funding

The Lee County Board of Education Superintendent, Dr. Chris Dossenbach, presented his recommended 2026-27 budget on Feb. 19. The budget centered on a “Thrive in Lee” plan to support teacher retention, maintain buildings and meet inflation costs.

Research shows, as seen in the initial graphic, that the higher a school’s per pupil expense (PPE), the higher the grade proficiency. “Moore County was the only county in our comparison group to have higher scores when compared to the period before the pandemic,” reads the graphic.

Should the increase be awarded, the expense budget would be $26.75 million, allowing $2,600 PPE. With a stable enrollment of 9,700 to 9,900 students, PPE must be maintained.

“Had the board [county commissioners] fully funded this board’s request last year, the PPE would have been $2,442.” Dossenbach explained further that data supports higher funding with higher proficiency, partly because it helps retain better teachers. He said the size of a county was irrelevant because the cost per pupil was not based on county size.

PPE covers:

Curriculum programs / materials

Teachers

Teacher Assistants

Interventions

Advanced Learning, CTE

Mental health services

Counselors, nurses and social workers

English Language support

Attendance, behavior supports

Transportation (buses, drivers, fuel)

Child Nutrition

Utilities

Safety measures / emergency preparedness

Maintenance and custodial services

Technology infrastructure

State / Federal compliance requirements

Insurance

The district requested a $5.68 million increase, mostly for employee salary raises and to cover operating costs. The district’s exit survey showed 57.2% of employees left for higher pay at charter schools in Wake and Chatham counties. The $5.68 million breaks down to $3.56 million for current expenses and $2.12 million for capital funding, which includes projects, technology, furniture, equipment and vehicles.

The “Thrive in Lee” plan requested $880,000 to extend the classified pay study for another quarter. Instead of a flat-rate supplement, the board chose a structured supplement program. The plan includes $1.73 million to update supplements for certified staff based on experience, and teachers identified as top tier would be allowed a 15% supplement.

Because the district paid $950,000 in higher utility, insurance, medical coverage, supplies, it requested the same amount. For example, water expenses rose 49%.

Of the budget concerns, Dossenbach said it did not matter where a student attended school, but where they lived. There are 878 students in Lee County who select online or charter schools listed in the counties below. The district must cover an 18.6% increase in charter school payments from local funding.

The board requested keeping a reserve of $1 million from the lottery for emergencies.

The next school board meeting is Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. with a public hearing on the proposed budget.

Feb. 20, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

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