 2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Contact:
Lindsay Whitley
Associate Superintendent, Communications and Community Engagement
Phone: 910-678-2303
Email: lindsaywhitley@ccs.k12.nc.us
For Immediate Release:
Feb. 7, 2025
Local School Board and County Commissioners Discuss Facility Needs and Future Planning for Cumberland County Schools
Fayetteville, NC – The Cumberland County Board of Education and the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners met today at the Dr. William "Bill" Harrison Educational Resource Center to discuss the findings of the Master Facilities Assessment, a comprehensive study conducted by MGT of America Consulting. The assessment identified $805.8 million in recommended repairs and upgrades across Cumberland County Schools (CCS), emphasizing the critical need to modernize aging facilities, enhance safety infrastructure and create learning environments that support 21st-century education.
From this total, a seven-year deferred maintenance plan has been developed, recommending that the district address $314.3 million of the most urgent facility needs. This prioritization ensures that the district addresses the most pressing needs first, such as HVAC system upgrades, estimated at $92.2 million, followed by other essential infrastructure improvements.
“We are committed to ensuring our students have access to the best possible learning environments,” said Deanna Jones, chairwoman of the Cumberland County Board of Education. “Today’s meeting marked the beginning of an important collaborative effort to address our facility needs. We look forward to continuing this partnership to ensure we create modern, safe schools for every student.”
Many of Cumberland County Schools' buildings were constructed decades ago, with several dating back to the 1960s. The most recent schools were built in the early 2000s. As the district's facilities age, there is an increasing need to modernize and upgrade outdated infrastructure to ensure they meet the evolving educational needs of students.
Moving forward, Cumberland County Schools will collaborate with an external firm to conduct a comprehensive redistricting study and consider a potential school consolidation plan. This study will gather feedback from stakeholders on school consolidations, redistricting and how these changes may affect facility needs. The results from both the Master Facilities Assessment and the redistricting study will inform the development of a comprehensive facilities plan, which will be reviewed by the Cumberland County Board of Education and, once approved, presented to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners for funding consideration.
During the meeting, the boards also focused on budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year, discussing key funding priorities that could support the district's continued success. A primary area of focus was the potential increase in teacher supplements, aimed at enhancing teacher retention and ensuring that Cumberland County Schools remains competitive in attracting and retaining highly qualified educators. The boards also discussed the possibility of expanding mental health supports, recognizing the growing need for services to support the social-emotional well-being of students.
CCS staff also gave an overview of the district’s fund balance. The fund balance serves as an emergency reserve, providing financial flexibility to address unexpected expenses and maintain operations without disruption. The boards discussed the appropriate level for the district's fund balance and pledged to collaborate in determining the optimal amount moving forward.
"As these discussions continue, we remain committed to working together with the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to ensure that we meet the needs of our students, staff and community," said Jones.
After a productive discussion, the boards adjourned, agreeing to continue these conversations and follow up with their respective boards to debrief and determine the next steps in the planning process.
Chairwoman Jones welcomes attendees as she opens the joint meeting.
Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Kirk deViere delivers remarks.
CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. shares comments.
Lance Richards from MGT presents the findings of the district's Master Facilities Assessment.
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