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A new lawsuit claims Cumberland County Schools systematically violated federal disability law by delaying special education evaluations for children who showed clear signs of needing help.

Under federal law, when a parent or teacher refers a child for a possible disability, the district must complete an evaluation, often within a 90-day window. But the complaint, filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina, alleges the school district routinely stalled these evaluations by requiring students to first complete the “Multi-Tiered System of Support,” a schoolwide intervention program meant to help struggling students before they fall behind. MTSS is not a special education service, and federal law does not permit districts to use it to delay or deny an evaluation.

According to the complaint, the practice left children waiting months, sometimes more than a year, for assessments they were legally entitled to receive much sooner.

The lawsuit was brought by Cynthia Lee, a former teacher at Sherwood Park Elementary School, and three former second-grade students identified as R.S., D.C. and J.M. They say Cumberland County Schools unlawfully used the MTSS program as a “gatekeeper,” blocking or postponing evaluations even after parents submitted written referrals. The complaint also says the district failed to give parents required notices when it declined to move forward with an evaluation.

In a statement, Cumberland County Schools said it was aware of the lawsuit but does not comment on pending litigation. The district said it “remains committed to supporting students with disabilities and working with families in accordance with applicable state and federal law,” and is reviewing the complaint with its legal counsel.

Lee alleges she repeatedly alerted administrators that the students showed signs of disabilities and needed prompt evaluations. She says that as she continued raising concerns, school administrators became hostile.

After Lee filed a formal complaint with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on April 30, 2025, she says she was confronted in staff meetings, publicly criticized and eventually forced to resign at the end of the school year.

According to the lawsuit, the Department of Public Instruction investigated Lee’s complaint and found that Cumberland County Schools had violated IDEA’s Child Find, which requires schools to identify and evaluate any child who may have a disability. The state described the district’s practices as “systemic.”

The complaint does not specify how the district responded to those findings.

The lawsuit also names DPI, arguing the state failed to enforce federal disability law and allowed districts, including Cumberland County, to use MTSS in ways that delayed legally required evaluations.

NCDPI said it had not yet been served with the lawsuit and could not comment.

Cumberland County Schools employees will see one of the largest pay bumps in the region at the end of the school year after the Board of Education approved a major increase to local salary supplements Monday night.

North Carolina pays teachers’ salaries, but counties offer additional money to recruit and retain workers. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners allocated $13.7 million for the increase this year.

The district says the move brings Cumberland County Schools from “near the bottom” in the Sandhills region to first place for pay supplements.

Cumberland County previously offered one of the lowest local supplements in the region—roughly $1,200 per teacher, according to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. That was lower than neighboring Hoke, Robeson, Scotland, Harnett, and Moore counties.

Under the new plan, the average local teacher supplement will rise to $5,775.

When the state and local supplements are combined, teachers will receive an average of $7,298 in additional pay, school officials say.

Classified employees, including instructional assistants, bus drivers, custodians, and cafeteria staff will see their local pay supplement increase from 2 percent to 6 percent of their annual salary. District leaders say the increase reflects the essential work these employees do in keeping schools running every day.

According to district spokesperson Dr. Lindsey Whitley, the new supplement amounts will begin appearing in teacher paychecks at the end of the school year.

“Supplements for employees are typically paid toward the end of the school year,” Lindsey said. “Because the districts fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, the raises will take effect at the start of next semester.”

Teachers across all experience levels will receive at least a $1,000 raise through the new supplement schedule, with larger increases tied to years of service.

Superintendent Eric C. Bracy said the raises strengthen the district’s ability to compete.

“This plan is a win for all of our educators and staff,” Bracy said. “By strengthening our supplements, we are honoring the teachers and classified employees who serve our students every day and sending a clear message across the region that CCS is a great place to work, grow and build a future.”

Dasia Williams is a K-12 education reporter at CityView. She graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in May 2024 with a degree in multimedia journalism. Before joining CityView, she investigated historically Black colleges and universities at Open Campus Media and has written for The Charlotte Observer. She also previously worked as a digital content producer at the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Off the clock, she enjoys cafe-hopping and reviewing coffee shops across North Carolina.

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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- As the government shutdown stretches on, more families are struggling to make ends meet.

In Cumberland County, local relief efforts are stepping up to help feed and support neighbors during difficult times.

At Second Harvest Food Bank in Fayetteville, staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to meet the growing need.

"We just didn't have the food to hand out," said Wesley Rushing, pantry director at Gray Pond Baptist Church.

Rushing said stocking his church's pantry has been an uphill battle. On Wednesday, he traveled more than an hour to Second Harvest to collect food and supplies for his congregation. Inside the warehouse, some of the shelves were nearly empty, a concerning sign for the food bank's staff.

"There's nothing like seeing a mother come down with a child who is asking you for food, knowing they can't provide for their family," said David Griffin, food bank director at Second Harvest.

With roughly 76,000 people to feed, a number that has risen since the start of the shutdown, Griffin said the need is dire.

"It's about demand and because we also lost $2 million in government cuts earlier in the year, that really affected our ability to sometimes get some things in," Griffin said.

Despite the challenges, Rushing said he's grateful to bring back relief to those in need.

"It's increased. We did about 120 to 130 bags this past Friday. That's probably like 45 more bags than we normally do," he said.

One silver lining, officials said, has been an increase in furloughed workers volunteering their time, a testament, they say, that even in tough times, compassion keeps communities like Fayetteville standing strong.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- As signs emerge that the government shutdown may soon come to an end, many Cumberland County families are still grappling with weeks of financial strain.

For some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and furloughed government employees, the uncertainty has meant taking on side hustles or second jobs just to stay afloat.

Bobbie Johnson, a longtime federal employee and single mother of two, has experienced multiple shutdowns.

"It's always nerve-wracking because you're not sure when you're going to go back to work," Johnson said. "Ultimately, I think having faith in God has really kept me firm so that I am able to be prepared."

To make ends meet, Johnson has leaned into her small business, making sweet treats like cotton candy cake.

"We've been able to do events in Raleigh and Durham that we didn't have the opportunity to do as often," she said. "We've been spending more time putting energy into our flyers, our content creation, and really developing the business into something we both love."

Across town, another single mother, Amanda Zotti, is also juggling multiple jobs to get by.

"SNAP definitely gets me by. It's a lifeline," said Zotti, who depends on the federal food assistance program. "If it weren't for SNAP, I probably wouldn't be able to afford what I can afford right now, which is the bare minimum."

After losing access to her benefits during the shutdown, Zotti began delivering pizzas on weekends to help cover expenses. She's one of more than one million North Carolinians who rely on SNAP benefits.

"The transition has been really hard," she said. "With my first job, it definitely takes a toll on my body, so having to get up on the weekends and basically do the same type of work, it definitely takes a toll."

Both women say they're hopeful lawmakers in Washington will reach a final agreement soon, so families like theirs can return to a sense of stability.

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October is one long lead-up to the glorious final day of the month, and it's almost here.

Halloween will officially be upon us on Friday, Oct. 31. If you're looking to take the kids trick-or-treating, you have a few options.

For those who like to keep it old-school and trick-or-treat in a neighborhood, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office announced Oct. 10 that trick-or-treating hours in Cumberland County will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31.

If you'd prefer a more controlled environment, there are other events planned for Halloween night, too.

Here are 10 more trick-or-treat or trunk-or-treat events happening Friday.

Trick or Treat in Downtown Fayetteville

Businesses and retailers in downtown Fayetteville will pass out candy to trick-or-treaters of all ages from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 31. Visit facebook.com/events/727167507003638 for more information.

No Tricks Just Treats

Join the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Johnathan Morgan for a drive-thru trick-or-treating event from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Pull up in front of the Sheriff's Office and the courtyard located at 131 Dick St. in Fayetteville. Visit facebook.com/events/658993246930595 for more information.

Trunk or Treat at Praeceptor K9

Bring the kids and the dogs to this free family-friendly event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Praeceptor K9, 3760 Sycamore Dairy Road in Fayetteville. Attendees can expect candy, games and music. Costumes are encouraged for people and dogs. Visit facebook.com/events/1119258813427368 for more information.

Fall Festival at Village Baptist Church

Village Baptist Church, at 906 S. McPherson Church Road in Fayetteville, hosts its annual Fall Festival from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. Attendees can expect trunk-or-treat, bounce houses, carnival games, free food, face-painting and more. The event is free and open to the public. Visit facebook.com/events/1587403189359304 for more information.

Trunk or Treat at RNR Tire Express

RNR Tire Express, at 1101 Pamalee Drive in Fayetteville, hosts a free trunk or treat event at 4 p.m. Oct. 31. The event, which is open to the public, will include games, a costume contest with prizes and a trunk-or-treat with plenty of candy. Visit facebook.com/events/2876953979165000 for more information.

Trunk or Treat at Village Presbyterian Church

Village Presbyterian Church, at 5303 Spruce Drive in Fayetteville, hosts a trunk-or-treat event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. In addition to trunk-or-treating, the free event, which is open to the community, features popcorn, hot chocolate and a fire truck. Visit facebook.com/events/1126252902807897 for more information.

Boo Bash at Eastover Ball Park

A free community event hosted by Churches of Eastover and Eastover Fire Department is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at Eastover Ball Park, 2721 Ballpark Road in Eastover. Attendees can expect trunk-or-treating, face-painting, inflatables, a hayride and free food. Visit facebook.com/events/1635141731206528 for more information.

Trunk or Treat at the Church at Cedar Creek

The Church at Cedar Creek, at 4010 Cedar Creek Road in Fayetteville, hosts a free trunk-or-treat event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The event is open to the public and features candy, prizes, music and food. Visit facebook.com/events/1319584466293702 for more information.

Trunk or Treat at Refuge Church

Refuge Church, at 1268 Ireland Drive in Fayetteville, hosts a trunk-or-treat event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The event is open to the public. Visit facebook.com/events/1493764014997616 for more information.

Westarea Trunk or Treat

Westarea Fire Department, at 4731 Main St. in Linden, hosts a trunk-or-treat event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The free event is open to the public. Visit facebook.com/events/1582306966478539 for more information.

News Director Beth Hutson can be reached at bhutson@fayobserver.com.