MARY ANN WOLF: N.C. legislators will soon spend $1 billion surplus. Public schools must be a priority
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 -- Public schools matter to each and every community across North Carolina. With meaningful investments, they can continue to thrive and serve our state.
Posted — UpdatedPublic schools matter. They are the heart of our communities. They are the choice of 85% of families across North Carolina. They are a primary contributor to our workforce and economic success.
Rather than direct some of the $1 billion surplus to our public schools, recent reports indicate legislative leaders plan to add $300 million to the already significant ($4.6 billion over the next decade) Opportunity Scholarship Program funding or private school taxpayer-funded vouchers. Is this how North Carolinians want their public dollars spent?
School vouchers are public dollars families can apply for to use toward their children’s private school tuition. The state’s school voucher program recently became universal. No longer are there any income limitations. There is no requirement for students to have first attended public schools nor are participating private schools required to have baseline accountability measures in place.
This state ranked 36th in the nation in average teacher salary -- $54,863 in 2021-22. Since these numbers were released, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas have all passed historic teacher raises while North Carolina continues to fall behind. The minimum Tennessee salary will be $50K by 2026, and the minimum salary this year in Arkansas is already $50K. What could $300 million mean for our public school teachers and students?
The state has a significant opportunity to support the 1.4 million students in our public schools. With only a part of the surplus, $300 million, the General Assembly could make a big impact on teacher compensation in the short session. That $300 million would allow investing in teachers and students with additional pay raises of over 4% to every teacher in the state and to the principals, assistant principals, and other instructional roles.
We will still have a long way to go, but this would be a significant investment in our students, families, schools, and our educators. Public schools matter to each and every community across North Carolina. With meaningful investments, they can continue to thrive and serve our state.
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