CONCORD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Cabarrus County Schools just released its latest plan to cut an $11 million budget deficit with more than $3 million of that for children with special needs.
The district is limiting hiring, they’ve talked with state lawmakers and could also ask for help from the county, but the father of a special needs student worries it won’t be enough.
Sloane Cerulo keeps on pedaling in a video her father shared of her in the cycling event at the Special Olympics.
“Sloane is a bundle of energy, always on the go, her neighbor friends have named her Sonic the Hedgehog,” said Rob Cerulo, Sloane’s father.
The 10-year-old is in the Exceptional Children’s program in Cabarrus County Schools.
Rob says Sloane and her classmates have gone through instability lately.
“Sloane was without a teacher for weeks into her fifth-grade year,” said Rob Cerulo.
He says he noticed that the uncertainty was having an impact on Sloane.
“Transition’s always tough for a child with behavioral disorders and autism,” said Cerulo. “I think that’s something that doesn’t get shared enough from an awareness standpoint.”
Cabarrus County Schools are working to make up for the multi-million-dollar deficit.
“While I like to think that people act in the best interest, if you don’t have money, there’s only so much you can do,” said Cerulo.
School officials have pledged to make sure children with special needs don’t get left out.
“Way to go Sloanie, keep going, pedal faster, pedal faster,” her dad says in the video from Special Olympics.
They’re hoping to help students like Sloane cross the finish line.
“Nothing is more important than making sure every child has a fair chance,” said Cerulo.
In addition to the $3.3 million over budget for the children with special-needs programs, the shortfall also includes $3.6 million for a salary study that was higher than expected, $3.2 million for the state allotment process, along with a school resource officer grant, Medicaid and other various deficits.
On Thursday, there’s a Board of Education budget committee meeting at 6 p.m. at the district headquarters on Old Airport Road in Concord.
Cabarrus County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki released the following statement to Queen City News on the funding for children with special needs amid the budget deficit:
“As we continue to work through the budget challenges for the 2024-25 school year, we can confidently assure all our parents that all 35,000+ students in our district will continue to receive an outstanding education in our school district,” he said. “Our goal remains to provide access, resources and opportunities to all our students. All our parents should clearly understand that we will continue to provide the services and outstanding education that families have come to expect.”
