To the Gaston County Commissioners and Board of Education:

We are parents, caregivers, and community members of Gaston County, and we are calling for immediate, responsible investment in our public schools.

Our children deserve classrooms that are fully staffed, supported, and equipped to help them succeed. Right now, that is not the reality.

Across our district, we are seeing:

• Ongoing staffing shortages
• Difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers
• Increased strain on existing staff
• Students not receiving the level of support they need to thrive
• These are not abstract problems—they directly impact our children’s education, safety, and future.

📊 The Reality
Gaston County has the ability to do better.

• Our county generates significant property tax revenue
• Yet less is being invested in schools per student compared to peer counties
• Other counties facing the same state-level challenges are still choosing to prioritize education funding
• This is not just a funding issue—it is a priority issue.

⚠️ The Cost of Inaction
When schools are underfunded:

• Teachers leave—and fewer apply
• Class sizes increase
• Students fall behind academically and emotionally
• Long-term outcomes decline, affecting workforce readiness and community safety
• We cannot afford to let this continue

✅ What We Are Asking For
We are calling on our elected officials to:

1. Increase local funding for Gaston County Schools to be competitive with peer counties
2. Prioritize teacher recruitment and retention, including meaningful supplements and support
3. Ensure funding decisions reflect classroom needs first—not administrative convenience
4. Provide clear, transparent communication to the public about what is being funded, what is being denied, and why.

📣 Our Position
We are willing to invest in our schools—because we understand what is at stake.

Our children’s education should not come last.

Strong schools build strong communities.
Investing in education is not optional—it is essential.

We urge you to act immediately.