Whereas the North Carolina General Assembly is legally required by our state constitution to fund a sound, basic public education for every child;

Whereas North Carolina public schools educate 84% of K-12 students, serving 1.5M students annually, and welcomes all children regardless of ability, special needs, zip code, income or family background; 

Whereas successful public education provides productive citizens who are caring and contributing members of our democracy; 

Whereas public schools serve as community centers and drive local economies. In 82 of 100 North Carolina counties public schools are one of the top 3 employers;

Whereas NC public schools are struggling to fully staff classrooms and meet basic needs due to chronic underfunding and rising costs;

• Teachers are the #1 school-related factor that impacts student outcomes, yet North Carolina ranks 43rd in the nation for average teacher pay —$13,738 below the national average and five spots lower than last year—and is losing teachers to neighboring states due to uncompetitive salaries;

•  North Carolina ranks 49th in the nation for per-pupil spending, $5500 less per student than the national average; 

Whereas our state’s long-term economic competitiveness and #1 business ranking depends on a strong K-12 public education system that prepares students to be effective members of the growing North Carolina workforce;

Whereas billions in public funds have been allocated to private school vouchers and divert funding for public education. In rural counties the vast majority of students attend public schools and there are few if any private school options; 

Whereas state tax cuts for individuals and corporations have shifted more responsibility of funding education to local governments, which disproportionately hurts rural counties with smaller populations and lower tax bases;  

• Boards of County Commissioners are asked to close the public education funding gap despite critical demands for other vital community services;

We, the residents of North Carolina, strongly urge the North Carolina General Assembly to stop the chronic underfunding of our public schools.

Public education is the foundation of a strong, inclusive, and thriving North Carolina. Defunding schools defunds our children’s futures. 

Our children deserve better. Our educators deserve better. North Carolina deserves better.