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CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School board and Mecklenburg County commissioners came together Wednesday afternoon to discuss the budget.

The two boards debated the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system's request for $27.5 million in additional funding from the county; primarily to give teachers and employees their first raises since the 2008-2009 school year.

System leaders say after years of local, state and federal cuts, academic achievements are eroding, and it's time employees get a cost of living bump in salary. However, county commissioners did not make any promises, and several asked if there are other places the district can find the funding.

"We have to get out of this thought process that the county is the last gasp resort of additional money and in order to get what CMS needs, it just needs to work the system,” said County Commissioner Neil Cooksey.

"We are a critical juncture in trying to really retain, recruit the very best employees and continue the trend forward," said CMS Interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh.

Next week, the Mecklenburg County manager will unveil his recommended budget, which will spell out the proposed funding for CMS.

The commission will vote on the spending plan in June.