Latest news with #NorthCarolinaStateBoardofEducation
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Departing NC Teacher of the Year challenges State Board, legislators to do more for public schools
North Carolina State Board of Education honored its departing NC Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year at its June 5th meeting. (NCDPI Screengrab) When Kimberly Jones was selected as the 2023-24 North Carolina Teacher of the Year she earned a two-year appointment to the State Board of Education. This week, as the veteran Chapel Hill English teacher attended her final meeting in that leadership capacity, she challenged both the board and state legislators to invest more in public schools. Jones urged the State Board of Education on Thursday to stay grounded in the constitutional mandate to provide every North Carolina child with a sound basic education. 'Be wary of oversimplified solutions to complex challenges,' Jones advised. 'Invest not only in outcomes, but in the conditions that produce them — teacher retention, culturally relevant pedagogy, instructional materials that reflect diverse experiences and perspectives and learning environments that allow our students to feel safe, both physically and emotionally.' During her time on the board, the Trump administration's U.S. Department of Education has sought to block diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs nationwide. Jones cautioned her colleagues to never confuse neutrality with justice. 'Please make equity, access, or whatever synonym meets the current criteria to guide your compass, even when that path is hard to navigate. The very future of our democracy and our society depends on how courageously you continue to steward this responsibility,' Jones said. As Newsline has previously reported, this legislative session state Republican lawmakers have advanced multiple proposals to eliminate DEI from all corners of the public sector — government, higher education and K-12 education. At the same time, the North Carolina House has passed legislation that would promote 'wholesome' content for students, but that critics have derided as an invitation to censorship. The bill would require the State Board of Education to maintain a database of all banned media across the state with annual updates. Jones reminded the board that reading and inquiry are not a nuisance, but rather an engine of learning. 'In my classroom, we use complex questions to feel reading, research, and rigorous dialogue to build empathy and to strengthen civic understanding,' she said. 'I believe students of every background and every region of our state deserve access to such curricula. Ones that affirm their identity, reflect their communities, inspire their best efforts, and invite them into meaningful conversations about the world they are inheriting and shaping.' Jones, a high school English and AP African American studies and Holocaust educator, said students should be encouraged to explore not just what was said or written, but why it mattered. For legislators who will be working on a compromise budget in the weeks ahead, Jones urged improved funding for schools and better respect for educators. 'Public education cannot be reimagined if it is consistently underfunded, undermined, or politicized,' she said. 'If we are to recruit and retain a diverse, highly qualified, and effective workforce, then we must offer more than praise. We must offer respect, autonomy, and trust.' Jones said her classroom colleagues simply deserve more. 'We need competitive teacher pay that honors both experience and expertise. We need sustainable investments in student mental health because no curriculum is effective in a crisis. We need clean modern school buildings, not just in select counties but in every community.' The House budget proposes to increase new teacher pay from $41,000 a year to $48,000 for the next school year but offers little to more experienced teachers. The Senate budget offers average raises of 2.3% in FY 25-26 with a $3,000 bonus spread out over two years. The two sides are reportedly far apart from reaching a consensus. Beyond the classroom, Jones said lawmakers should acknowledge those behind the scenes — cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and those willing to pitch in to maintain the grounds and buildings when the needs surpass the resources. For parents and community advocates, Jones encouraged them to visit a classroom, become a mentor, vote in their local school board elections, and ask their local school district leaders what they're doing to serve the most marginalized students. Jones said it's important to understand that not every student learns the same way, and not every parent's experience with their school is universal. 'In public schools, there are no applications for admission. There are no filters to whom we serve. We don't select who enters our classrooms, but every day we get the unparalleled opportunity to shape and influence what kind of person leaves our classrooms.' Jones said that during challenging times she reflects on a proverb which holds that children are born with their hands closed because that's where their gifts and talents lie. 'As they grow, their hands begin to open so they can share those talents with the world. At its most essential level, education is not about what we put into young people. It's about what we pull out of them,' she said.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC State Board of Education appeals $17M funding halt for school upgrades
The North Carolina State Board of Education and Superintendent Mo Green are urging the federal government to reverse a decision that halts $17 million in funding for school facility upgrades in North Carolina. The board voted Thursday to send a joint statement with Green requesting the U.S. Department of Education to honor extensions for spending pandemic stimulus funds granted last year by the Biden administration. 'These districts will now face potential cancellation of projects or, worse, will not have the resources to pay the bills for work already done,' the board and Green stated in their appeal to Education Secretary Linda McMahon. According to WRAL, more than $6 billion in pandemic stimulus dollars earmarked for North Carolina public schools since 2020 has been spent or committed before a September 2024 deadline. However, extensions were granted under the Biden administration to allow schools to spend the funds before March 2026, particularly for facility expenses due to shortages in materials and labor. Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced last week that she would not honor these extensions, arguing that schools had 'ample time' to spend the money and that the extensions were 'not justified.' She suggested that schools could re-apply for extensions, which would be reviewed individually. ALSO READ: CMS faces $100M funding cut as federal COVID stimulus expires Four North Carolina school districts—Robeson, Halifax, Lenoir, and Richmond—had received extensions. Robeson County Schools were expecting $14.6 million, primarily for heating and air conditioning equipment. Richmond County Schools lost $1.3 million, Halifax lost about $886,000, and Lenoir lost approximately $252,000. Robeson Assistant Superintendent Bobby Locklear expressed concern over the funding loss, stating that the district had already committed the money in contracts for HVAC, window, and classroom projects. The district has managed to cover one payment with $1.6 million from district funds but lacks the savings to cover the remaining $13 million. Officials from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction noted that the projects across all counties were mainly for facilities, including window replacements, which require students and staff to be out of the building for extended periods, limiting work to holiday breaks and summers. Robeson district's projects, including a new HVAC system at Lumberton High School, new classrooms at two high schools, and window replacements at three elementary schools, have faced delays due to supply chain issues and were scheduled for completion by summer. Locklear highlighted the challenges of obtaining HVAC equipment, with one piece taking 58 weeks to arrive after ordering, and emphasized that many projects cannot be completed while students are present. The district is preparing documentation for the Department of Public Instruction to justify the projects, outline what remains to be done, and provide timelines for completion. Superintendent Green has taken a 'measured' approach to federal changes, aiming to minimize disruption to services for the state's 1.5 million students, particularly those served by federal programs. VIDEO: CMS faces $100M funding cut as federal COVID stimulus expires
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC private school vouchers more than double after lawmakers remove income limits
RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – New data from North Carolina education officials shows Opportunity Scholarship applications surged after state lawmakers removed income caps and are likely to hit new highs for the upcoming school year. Applications hit a record high for the 2024-25 school year. The program more than doubled after the elimination of income limits, going from 32,549 to 79,775 recipients in a single year. Critics of the grants argue the lack of income caps allows for wealthy families to benefit from a program designed for students from lower-income households. According to data from the State Education Assistance Authority, 42% of recipients fall into the top two tiers of earners. Families with higher household income levels were previously ineligible for the scholarship. Families who earn less than $57,720 annually fall into Tier 1. Tier 2 includes those who make between $57,720 and $115,440 each year. Households with annual earnings between $115,440 and $259,750. Tier 4 includes people who make more than $259,750. In Mecklenburg County, 52% of Opportunity Scholarships for the '24-25 school year fall into Tiers 3 and 4. Households can receive $3,458 to $7,686 yearly to offset the cost of private school tuition, depending on family income. Families can use the money for tuition, books, transportation fees, and equipment or other items the school requires students to have. The North Carolina State Board of Education voted 9-2 in February to request a moratorium on new funding for Opportunity Scholarships. They request lawmakers reinvest the funds into traditional public schools. Education experts anticipate another surge in applicants for the upcoming year as White House Administrators continue to promote school choice options. Opportunity Scholarships began in North Carolina in 2014. The bill which established the grants stated it aims to 'reduce the socioeconomic achievement gap.' Critics say the award notifications go out to families beginning April 1. The priority application period is Feb. 6 through March 6, but families can still apply. Those who submit an application after March 6 will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis with funds remaining after priority and renewal applications. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Board of Education approves legislative agenda to boost teacher pay, address school needs
Image: Adobe Stock The North Carolina State Board of Education on Thursday voted to approve a 2025 legislative agenda that calls for increased teacher salaries, repairs for aging school facilities, and expanded student support services across the state. The proposal, presented to the board on Wednesday by Department of Public Instruction staff, is also seeking $100 million to help schools in western North Carolina recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. 'We're already beginning to hear from districts that the $50 million appropriated last fall is not going to be sufficient to meet the repair needs,' Geoff Coltrane, Senior Director of Government Affairs at DPI, said. Coltrane said this list of priorities is based on the board's brainstorming session last month and priorities identified by DPI staff and leadership. A full plan will be developed over the next six months to guide legislative efforts, he added. The priorities also include raising teacher salaries to the highest in the Southeast, restoring master's pay for all educators (not just classroom teachers), reforming the principal pay plan, and raising principal pay. North Carolina ranked 5th in Southeast for average teacher pay in the 2022-23 school year, behind Georgia by $8,000, according to data from National Education Association. The state also ranked 10th in starting salary, just above Kentucky and Arkansas in the Southeast. The request also includes $65 million for school health personnel, a 20% increase that would allow districts to hire 660 additional nurses, social workers, psychologists and counselors. The board is also seeking nearly $230 million to implement a weighted student funding formula for exceptional children, which would tier funding based on students' needs. Currently, the state funds exceptional children at a flat dollar amount, regardless of whether their needs require services for one day per week or 24/7 care. Other requests include funding to improve the student transportation information management system, support for three new cooperative innovative high schools, and $377 million to provide free school breakfast and lunch for all students. On the policy front, the proposal seeks changes like allowing more school calendar flexibility, eliminating the Praxis Core exam requirement for teacher prep programs, and DPI flexibility for placement of early literacy specialists. All members of the board except North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner voted for the proposal. The agenda figures to face an uphill battle in the Republican controlled General Assembly, which has regularly rejected past requests for sizable funding boosts in recent years.
