News Lines from May 10-17 in Moore, Lee & Harnett

Growth pressures, school funding battles and the need for taxpayer oversight across Moore, Lee and Harnett counties filled the week.

On May 12, the Lee County Board of Education approved a resolution urging county leaders to require school impact studies for major developments while confronting more than $3.1 million in cuts tied to federal funding losses, insurance costs and rapid growth pressure. Chairperson Sherry Womack introduced the resolution for considering school capacity with responsible growth.

The “Resolution on Responsible Growth and School Impact Mitigation” asks county leaders to mandate school impact analyses for major developments because of concerns about rapid growth straining schools and infrastructure.

For mitigation, the board asked the county to consider land, funds, and infrastructure improvements. It supports a school impact fee update and better county-school coordination on development needs.

As the May 9, 2026, article, “Quicksand: no legislation for development approval and school capacity,” shares, “North Carolina does not mandate that developers, municipalities and counties collaborate with public school systems to prevent overcapacity. This legislative gap creates an imbalance between growth and infrastructure, especially in fast-growing counties such as Moore, Lee and Harnett, where rural land is diminishing.” The responsibility for responsible growth depends on local governments in cooperation with school districts.

“People invest in communities based on their schools. This presentation by our chair is absolutely spot on,” Member Marus Mason said about Womack’s proposal for the resolution.

The Lee County Board of Education confronted eliminating administration and teacher positions and other reductions to save $3,150,511.

The district’s strategy emphasizes the state’s likelihood of support for next year while it protects core instruction.

Lee County Schools was pleased to announce the hiring of Jolanda Jordan as the district’s next Chief Finance Officer. Jordan will officially begin in the role on July 6.

Jordan returns to Lee County Schools after previously serving the district for more than 15 years. She began her career in education in Lee County as a teacher assistant at B.T. Bullock Elementary School before later teaching at B.T. Bullock. She went on to serve as an assistant principal at Southern Lee High School and later as principal of Bragg Street Academy. In 2018, Jordan left Lee County Schools to become the Chief Finance Officer for Washington County Schools, where she has served since that time.

The Moore GOP’s Lincoln-Reagan-Trump dinner on May 12 at The Country Club of North Carolina hosted the #1 New York Times bestselling author Peter Schweizer.

As an investigative journalist, Schweizer’s list of sources in his newest book, Invisible Coup, reveals relentless probing to find answers to how immigration became a political weapon, who is operating industrialized immigration organizations to build foreign ideology in America through votes in attempts to conquer the greatest country in the world, why Catholicism embraces mass immigration, and how and why the Trump administration is working to stop citizenship violations.

Mass immigration operatives are in the business of change. Operatives want to replace the Constitution of the United States, which created a federal constitutional republic with a representative democracy form of government, with their own forms of government: from Mexico’s federal representative democratic republic, to China’s one-party socialist and communist state, to Iran’s Islamic theocratic republic.

Lee County High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Kaitlyn Adams was named one of five winners of the Rack Room Shoes Teacher of the Year Award, a national honor recognizing educators who go above and beyond to support their students both inside and outside the classroom. These teachers will be receiving an Innovation Grant to use for classroom items or program expansion to enhance their students’ experiences.

Adams, who teaches family and consumer science courses including Mental Health and Counseling, was selected for her unwavering commitment to her students, her inclusive classroom environment and the meaningful relationships she builds with young people at Lee County High School.

On May 11, the Harnett County Board of Commissioners reviewed a proposed $215.1 million budget, a product of rapid growth, of declining federal and state support, rising school costs and increased staffing demands. The limited revenue forced them to reduce expansion funding requests while relying on more than $8.6 million from the fund balance to maintain services and school support.

The budget leaves a $7.7 million gap between what Harnett County Schools requested and what the county can provide. School costs continue to rise due to charter school enrollment growth, teacher supplement increases and debt payments for the planned Highland High School and Career and Technical Education High School projects.

Declining Medicaid revenue, shrinking aid, and departmental strain from growth concern commissioners regarding long-term sustainability. Even with challenges, the budget keeps property taxes the same, boosts school funding, and funds libraries, recreation, rural outreach, and infrastructure.

Harnett County’s “tight” budget proposes $224,786 for a bookmobile operation when there is a library in each town. Commissioners are considering $2,302,668 for parks and recreation. They propose $554,132 for the cooperative extension programs that many churches and civic groups could navigate.

On May 11, after years of warnings from the Moore County Board of Education member David Hensley about rising legal costs, the board approved an additional $60,000 in attorney fees and hired Poyner Spruill LLP to replace attorney Richard Schwartz beginning July 1, 2026. The decision reignited debate over taxpayer accountability, board oversight, and whether a larger law firm would reduce costs.

Moore County Schools has spent about $600,000 this year and every year for the last three years on legal fees, 12 times more than Lee County Schools. Hensley and Member Pam Bruno argued the real problem was the board’s failure to enforce or update Policy 2610, which governs attorney use and oversight. Hensley said stronger controls, fewer unnecessary attorney calls, and better discipline by board members would save more money than switching firms with higher hourly rates.

An “investigation” by Member Steve Johnson and Chairperson Robin Calcutt on spending did not reveal details. Also, no explanation was offered about why the board waited years to address oversight concerns of taxpayer dollars Hensley had repeatedly raised.

On May 10, Robert Levy shared his editorial, “Ceasefire! Stop Redistricting.”

It’s time for a truce. No, this has nothing to do with Iran or Ukraine. Yet, the psychological dynamics are similar. The political parties need to stop their Great Gerrymander War of 2026. The end can happen. It should begin with a ceasefire along the current battle lines.

The Commonwealth of Virginia just gave America its greatest gift since Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Their state Supreme Court just declared that the recent Democrat redistricting of Virginia’s congressional districts was “unconstitutional.” At this point, Republicans should celebrate their win; but they should avoid getting greedy. Both sides should use the occasion to declare that active hostilities have ended. A ceasefire should be implemented.

Moore Republican Women announced it will present a concert performance featuring incredible talent, from seasoned professionals to outstanding local singers, all coming together to bring you your favorite Broadway show tunes.

This evening promises something for every musical lover. Highlighted songs will be from Phantom of the Opera, Showboat, King and I, Annie, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables and many more classics.

The accompanist is the legendary Ed Martel, and the show is directed by Constance Cairo Conway. Whether you’re a lifelong Broadway fan or just looking for a fun and inspiring night out, you won’t want to miss this!

When: June 5, 2026

Time: 7 to 10 p.m.

Where: Pinehurst Village Assembly Hall (395 Magnolia Road, Pinehurst) Tickets: $35 each (not tax deductible)

Experience the energy of live performance and buy your tickets now!

Visit www.mrwnc.org/events for your tickets.

Enjoy the Teen News video!

May 17, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

Subscribe to Sandhills News and support this conservative flagship journalism with advertising.

Submit news tips, events and interview requests to editor@sandhills.news.

Sandhills News is plain-English local government reporting that explains how decisions affect your land, taxes, schools and rights.