# Pender Schools Face $1M Budget Gap | Wilmington News

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/wilmington-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7601606/pender-schools-face-1m-budget-gap-wilmington-news
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/wilmington-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7601606/pender-schools-face-1m-budget-gap-wilmington-news.md
Podcast: [Wilmington News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!](https://stenobird.com/podcast/wilmington-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7601606)
Published: 2026-07-29T12:20:00+00:00
Episode link: https://sources.thednn.ai/cfd477ca5fdf28a8
Audio file: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/aefc1c9f-9aeb-4567-8e80-8614c2d7c1ef.mp3
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Duration seconds: 94

## Resource

Pender County Schools is grappling with a fresh $1 million budget shortfall, compounding an earlier multi-million-dollar deficit, as soaring teacher raises and bonuses—far beyond their original eight percent plan—clash with slashed federal funding. New hires face 17% hikes while veterans get 5%, plus bonuses up to $1,750, none of which were budgeted. With reserves already tapped, officials are cutting corners: leaving jobs unfilled, reassigning staff, and offering one-year contracts. Federal programs like Title I are also being gutted, forcing the district to shoulder rising costs—including retirement contributions—without asking county commissioners for more cash. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/cfd477ca5fdf28a8

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