CCS Is the Second-Largest Employer in Cumberland County

When people hear “school board,” they often think about classroom instruction, testing, teachers, and student policies.

Those responsibilities matter deeply. But the work of the Cumberland County Board of Education reaches far beyond the school building.

Cumberland County Schools is one of the largest organizations — and one of the most significant economic engines — in our entire community. According to the district’s official profile, CCS is the second-largest employer in Cumberland County, behind only the military, with approximately 6,670 full-time employees.

That includes:

• Teachers and teacher assistants
• Bus drivers and cafeteria workers
• Custodians and maintenance employees
• Coaches, principals, and school administrators
• Administrative and support staff

These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are our neighbors, customers, homeowners, renters, parents, volunteers, and community leaders.

That is why realtors, builders, developers, business owners, and every resident who cares about Cumberland County’s future should pay close attention to who sits on the Cumberland County school board.

CCS is a major economic force

The scale of Cumberland County Schools is extraordinary. The district serves roughly 48,000 students across 86 schools and employs more than 6,000 people. The superintendent’s proposed budget for the 2026–27 school year totals approximately $671 million — the recommended budget lists the proposed total as $670,802,801.

Approximately 79% of that budget — roughly $530 million — is dedicated to salaries and benefits.

79% of the budget represents people

That investment supports the people who make our schools operate every day. It pays teachers who educate our children, bus drivers who get them to school safely, cafeteria employees who serve them, custodians who maintain clean facilities, and administrators who lead our campuses.

When those employees receive their paychecks, that money moves through Cumberland County. It helps pay:

• Mortgages and rent
• Home repairs and renovations
• Groceries and household expenses
• Restaurant meals and local entertainment
• Vehicles, fuel, and transportation
• Child care and community services
• Purchases from local businesses

Many CCS employees also raise their families here. They are not simply working in Cumberland County; they are investing their time, income, and future in Cumberland County.

The decisions made by the School Board therefore affect more than academics. They influence the stability, confidence, and economic strength of the entire region.

Why realtors should be paying attention

For realtors, the connection is especially clear: schools are part of the housing conversation.

When families consider buying a home, they want to understand the community they are joining. They look at neighborhoods, commute times, nearby services, and the overall quality of life. They also want to know about the schools their children may attend.

Families may review school assignments, explore the Cumberland County Schools calendar, learn about programs, ask about transportation, and evaluate whether a community offers the environment they want for their children.

A school system that is well led, financially responsible, safe, and focused on student success gives families greater confidence in the area. A school system struggling with instability, poor communication, or declining trust can create additional concerns for buyers.

This is not about promising that a school board controls every factor in the housing market. It is about recognizing a basic reality: strong schools help make strong communities, and strong communities support a healthy housing market.

For realtors, that should make School Board elections a professional concern — not just a political one.

Why builders and developers should care

Residential development depends on more than available land and construction costs. It depends on whether people want to live in the community. Families need confidence that the area can support their children today and in the future.

New neighborhoods bring new students. Growing communities require thoughtful coordination, responsible planning, and leadership willing to look ahead. When we build homes, we are helping build a place where families will live, work, worship, shop, and send their children to school.

A builder can create beautiful homes, but families are choosing a complete lifestyle — not just four walls and a roof. They are asking:

• Is the community safe?
• Are the schools stable and well managed?
• Will teachers and staff have the support they need?
• Do parents have a meaningful voice?
• Are leaders planning responsibly for growth?
• Will this be a good place to raise a family?

The Cumberland County Board of Education plays an important role in answering those questions.

Good leadership does not mean chasing headlines or making unrealistic promises. It means understanding the connection between enrollment, staffing, facilities, school safety, transportation, and the continued growth of Cumberland County. It means treating education as both a student priority and a community investment.

Strong schools support growth

Cumberland County is home to military families, longtime residents, young professionals, working parents, entrepreneurs, and families building their futures here.

Strong schools help us recruit and retain teachers. They help military families feel confident putting down roots. They help attract businesses that want to locate where employees can enjoy a strong quality of life. They help support local employers and protect the long-term appeal of our neighborhoods.

Leadership must put students and the community first

Numbers matter, but leadership matters just as much.

Our school system needs leaders who understand that students, teachers, parents, and the broader community are connected. We need a parent voice in schools — not simply after decisions have already been made, but throughout the process.

Parents deserve transparency. Teachers deserve respect and support. Students deserve safe schools where discipline matters and learning comes first.

As a father, longtime community volunteer, local Realtor, and President of the Terry Sanford Athletic Booster Club, I have spent years inside our schools and alongside the families, teachers, coaches, and staff who make them special.

I believe we can build on what is working while addressing the challenges that deserve our attention. That means pursuing:

• Students First
• Teachers Supported
• Parents Heard
• Schools Safe
• Accountability and transparency
• Responsible stewardship of public resources
• Preparation for college, the military, trades, careers, and life

A strong school system is not created by one person. It is built through partnership — between families, educators, community leaders, local government, businesses, realtors, builders, and the School Board.

This election affects the whole county

The next time you hear someone ask why the School Board matters, remember the numbers:

6,670 full-time employees. Nearly 48,000 students. 86 schools. Approximately $671 million in proposed spending. Roughly $530 million in salaries and benefits.

Those numbers represent classrooms, paychecks, homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and families. They represent the future of Cumberland County.

On November 3, I am asking you to vote for leadership that is present, accountable, transparent, and willing to do the work.

I’m Bryan Moore, candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Education.

Strong schools. Strong neighborhoods. Stronger Cumberland County.Bryan Moore