The increases in the school budgets aren't as large as the increases in county appropriations to other large departments. Some school officials say they are worried by what looks like a trend of small budget increases. Without more money, the Board of Education could struggle to reduce class sizes, recruit teachers and put computers in classrooms, Superintendent Bryon Lawson said. The problem is the sympathy has not been able to translate into dollars. Top expense County leaders say state and federal mandates have forced them to put more local money in social services and health programs.
Schools remain the county's single biggest expense.
Most of the rest comes from the state and federal governments. Bladen County's contribution to its schools in 2000-01 was nearly 20 percent more than what the county spent on schools in 1995. But county funding to the Department of Social Services grew by more than 45 percent during the same period, according to figures from the county's finance office. The Health Department's budget grew by nearly 55 percent, and the Sheriff's Office budget has gone up nearly 38 percent, the figures show. County Manager Larry Sessoms said the county has few options for local funding, especially with recent industry losses.