Board approves $333M preliminary budget, Microsoft and ticketing agreements and policy changes

The New Hanover County Board of Education on May 5 approved a slate of items including a recommended FY26‑27 budget totaling $333,000,000, a Microsoft EES subscription agreement, renewal of a ticketing service, and changes to the board’s public participation policy.

At the meeting the board voted 6–1 to adopt the recommended 2026–27 budget, which staff presented as a $333 million beginning budget that includes a district request to the county for a 3% operating increase, a proposed 3% pre-K increase, built-in assumptions for a 3% employee raise (contingent on state action), and a proposed $25 per-student annual technology fee to help offset device insurance costs. CFO Ashley Sutton said the budget reflects recurring and one-time revenues and that the district used Title I carryover to sustain pre‑K slots after a reduction in other revenue sources.

The board separately debated contract item D, a roughly $425,000 Microsoft EES agreement with Softchoice that includes staff Office 365 licenses, Windows server and device management services and security tools. Board member David Perry asked whether perpetual (one-time) licenses might be cheaper; district IT staff explained the subscription bundle provides services (Intune, Defender, disaster recovery and server support) and that paying for staff licenses yields student accounts at no additional per-student license cost. The Microsoft agreement passed 5–2.

Board members also discussed and approved renewing a Hometown Ticketing agreement to manage digital athletic ticket sales. Staff said each ticket carries a $1 convenience fee plus a $0.30 transaction fee that currently is charged to purchasers; the district indicated it will continue to work to accommodate students who lack digital payment options. The ticketing renewal was approved 7–0.

A contested vote occurred on proposed changes to policy 23.10 (public participation). The board debated language that would direct callers on what topics are appropriate for the call-to-audience with some members and members of the public saying the wording was vague and could chill protected speech (including prayer or naming personnel in public comments). After an amendment changing one sentence from the stronger term "must" to the softer guidance "should," the policy passed 5–2.

Also approved by the board were consensus items (with two pulled for separate discussion) and a legislative priorities agenda that included proposals for tiered exceptional‑children funding and expanded allotments for counseling and support staff; the legislative agenda passed 6–1. Several votes were recorded by roll call during the meeting; board minutes will include the official tally and motions.

The board moved to closed session at the end of the meeting and later announced that the district’s insurer settled two Jane Doe cases; the carrier paid the settlements and "no New Hanover County Schools funds were used," the board said.

Votes at a glance (selected): agenda/minutes — 7–0; Microsoft EES (item D) — approved 5–2; Hometown Ticketing (item H) — approved 7–0; policy 23.10 — approved 5–2; recommended budget — approved 6–1; legislative priorities — approved 6–1.

The board will meet again June 2; any further contractual or budgetary amendments will be considered in subsequent sessions.