By Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
Key decision-makers from Raleigh and Wake County converged at the Raleigh Convention Center on Thursday, May 29, for the “State of the City, County & Schools 2025.” The annual luncheon, hosted by the Greater Raleigh Chamber, offered a platform for leaders to unveil strategic visions for sustainable growth, educational excellence, and economic prosperity. However, amidst the presentations of progress and plans, a palpable uncertainty regarding essential funding for education emerged as a critical concern.
The event featured Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Susan Evans, and Wake County Board of Education Chair Chris Heagarty, alongside their respective senior staff.
Chris Heagarty, Chair of the Wake County Board of Education, opened with a powerful reminder: “Schools impact our economy, our way of life, and the students who will impact society.” He celebrated the district’s achievements, including boasting over 3,000 nationally board-certified teachers. This is more than any other district in America. Also, a commendable 94% graduation rate. Heagarty emphasized, “Talent development is key. We are using data and analytics for accountability. Our greatest area of growth is our ability to serve disadvantaged students,” noting that student performance in grades 3-8 has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Despite these successes, Heagarty voiced significant concerns. The opening of four new schools, symbolic of the commitment to a growing community, also brings inherent financial challenges, as “each opens with a deficit.” He highlighted ongoing efforts to advocate for continued federal funding and candidly expressed worries about the future: “Concerns that if we don’t solve together, I’m not sure if we can maintain [our progress].” A stark picture was painted of a “growing divide in wealth and growth in the working poor,” with the number of schools where more than half the students qualify for free or reduced lunch swelling from 42 to over 60. These students, he reminded attendees, are often from families of “essential workers.”
Susan Evans, Chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, detailed the county’s broader achievements, including the protection of 1,800 acres of land and significant economic growth, with 28 companies moving to or expanding in the area in 2024, creating 2,500 new jobs. Wake County now hosts over 51,000 privately owned businesses and sees an influx of approximately 66 new residents daily. Evans also directly addressed the financial commitment to education, stating that 54% of the county’s budget is allocated to this sector. Crucially, she pointed out a systemic funding challenge: “County is meant to cover facilities and state legislature is to cover operational expenses, however, that has not been the case.” This statement underscored the fiscal pressures also alluded to by Heagarty. Other county initiatives highlighted included finalizing transit plans in the fall and leveraging the voter-approved $142 million library bond from November 2024, aiming for all residents to live within 10 minutes of a library.
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, presenting her first comprehensive vision for the city, focused on aspects like parks as drivers of economic development, citing the success of events like Dreamville, which filled local hotels to 93% capacity.
During the subsequent Q&A session, questions regarding transit, particularly the future of light rail and commuter rail, received responses that emphasized current progress and available grant funding for bus rapid transit, suggesting this as the immediate focus. Frustration was in the air from the panel and the audience regarding the lack of innovation in our transportation space. As a longtime resident, the fact that we have rail trails and no light rail at this point is borderline infuriating. We’ve had generations to prepare but the focus remains on business not education, transportation, affordable housing, or the logistics that come with massive rapid growth.
While the “State of the City, County & Schools” showcased a region poised for continued growth and rich with collaborative spirit, the underlying message, particularly from the educational leadership, was one of caution. The vision for a thriving “cradle to career pipeline,” a concept often championed by community and business organizations like the Chamber, hinges critically on sustainable and equitable funding. The event left some attendees with a clear understanding of both the region’s pressing need to address the financial uncertainties that could temper its brightest aspirations. The call for unified solutions to these funding dilemmas resonated strongly, framing the path forward as one requiring collective will and innovative strategies. Check out our Instagram page @TheCaroNews for video of City of Raleigh Staff dancing to Boots on the Ground.
