Laura Blackwell Lindsey for Cabarrus County Commissioner

‼️ We. Are. Drowning. ‼️

FREE ADOPTIONS - Cat and Dog adoption fees are waived - This Week Only!

Please, choose now to adopt! We do not have any space for incoming animals, but that doesn't stop people from bringing them.

****All adoptions are first come first serve with approved application. Applications must be approved prior to meet and greet. Appointments for visitation are preferred in effort to best help you; Walk-Ins are welcome but are subject to longer wait times.

Available Animals ->
https://animals.cabarruscounty.us/avail-dogs.html
https://animals.cabarruscounty.us/avail-cats.html
Apply online!

Hey friends! We honestly don't have the time to make a fancy post with a cutesy image to boost views. We're just here to say.....

We DESPERATELY need adoptions!!!! Please please please, view our website and check out some amazing cats and dogs that we are overflowing with, and submit an application.

We are quite short staffed at the moment, and while we are eager to adopt out as many as we can, we will only have one counselor available. If you walk in, please be patient with us while we work diligently to help as many customers and facilitate as many adoptions as we are able to.

We are open today 12-4:30; animal visitations will stop at 4:00.

View available cats: https://animals.cabarruscounty.us/avail-CATS.html
View available dogs: https://animals.cabarruscounty.us/avail-dogs.html
Follow the links to apply.

Memorial Day 2026 in Midland was a meaningful ceremony to honor those men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

What a beautiful celebration of our foster families in Cabarrus County. These families are such a gift to the children, that through sometimes horrific circumstances, become part of “the system”. Thank you all for your selfless and giving spirits to offer these children a loving and structured home to grow up in!! ❤️

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. This is one of the Cabarrus County Schools department budgets (I deleted personally identifying information - I don't call out individuals as a general rule).

I don't see how taxpayers paying for a Rotary membership and cable in a private office helps students. It's only $1,700, I get it, but if they can't get the small stuff right are they getting the big stuff right?

For example: the $90,000 discretionary budget at the bottom. Discretionary budgets are often necessary for unknowns and are reasonable and useful, but it doubled from the previous year when only $3,200 was actually spent. Why does it need to double from $45k to $90k when you only spent $3,200?

I had hoped that this budget would be tight and I would have my work cut out for me to find savings, I really did, but this is laughable.

Meanwhile, CCS is threatening to cut student programs like VEX Robotics, Arts Council field trips, and other student-centered programs. This would be funny if it weren't so sad.

Don't cut student programs, CUT THE FAT!

More to come, much more.

I appreciate my fellow Commissioners statements here and agree. The commissioners were left in 2024 with tremendous over spending by previous boards. We are funding the schools at a 4.5% increase from the 12.5% increase they had last year. They have known this for at least a year because it’s been stated regularly by the commission board and county staff. The state has not passed their budget yet, but we have put $5 million to the side to accommodate for increase in teachers salaries that will hopefully be approved by legislators in the budget. The School Board decides their budget. They have the ability to make the decision on what is cut and not cut. Not the county commissioners. They have prepared and known for a year how much money we would be able to give them in funding to keep our entire county budget balanced. Everyone has made cuts.  There are a lot of different narratives being created out there and a lot of misinformation being spread.

It’s really unfortunate CCS chose to propose a reduced budget that inflicts the maximum amount of pain possible on students and parents in an effort to force our hand. Using students and teachers as a political pawn is about as low down and dirty as it gets.

If you look at this chart of spending v. student population, it’s clear to me the Commissioners are asking the schools to normalize their budget - not cut core functions. Student population is expected to grow 0.24% this year. 0.24%

I’ve requested a line item budget from CCS. If I have to find out how to live within a 4.5% increase (which is not even my job) I will. After receiving a 12.5% increase the previous year this should be non-controversial. But the County is not going to balance a budget for CCS on the backs of County employees. We asked the County to make cuts - they did and I applaud them.

As I await the information, here’s a few ideas, just off the top of my head:

- [ ] Reduce administrator pay increases. I’m sure the superintendent will be just fine with a $262,000 salary, which has increased 7% since 2023.

- [ ] Stop giving every K-3 grader an iPad. That’s ridiculous.

- [ ] Reduce unnecessary travel expenses and conferences and events for administrators. Give that money to the children.

- [ ] Make do with the vehicles you have. No one needs a brand new car when you’re cutting the robotics program - where we have students participating nationally. Where are their priorities?

Keep in mind we as Commissioners set aside $5million for increased teacher pay because we want the best teachers for the job. If the State won’t do it - we absolutely will.

I’m asking the school board to do their jobs, re-align their priorities for the students and teachers and not the giant bureaucracy that has been created by failed leadership.

They all have my cell number. Not a single call so far. I’m patiently waiting.