Lynne Stevens
Of all the obligations North Carolina has to Graham County, it is to properly fund and deliver an excellent education to every student – no matter if they live in Raleigh or Robbinsville.
Did you know that North Carolina schools used to be known as “a jewel among Southern states” (publicschoolsfirst.org)? We had some of the best schools in the south. The last decade has seen funds removed from public and re-invested into private schools.
My goodness, how we have fallen from grace; in that North Carolina is now ranked 48th in 50 states in school funding per pupil. North Carolina only dedicates 2.32 percent of its GDP to educating its children, the lowest in the nation (Making the Grade Report, 2022).
These are the choices the dominant GOP Legislature is making now.
Opportunity scholarship vouchers were originally intended to help low-income families escape failing schools. The new GOP budget proposal will include households making up to $249,750.
Why would taxpayers subsidize less than needy families to attend private mostly religious schools?
I was surprised at the minimal standards for these voucher schools (WRAL):
* Student test data is only required if more than 25 students receive vouchers and those are in aggregate – not student – scores;
* Only the highest-decision making staff is required to have a background check. Teachers are not required to have background checks;
* School finances are only reviewed if voucher receipts exceed $300,000;
* Families self-report income, no tax returns required and few are audited.
* Teacher certification not required.
The GOP believes in downsizing government, but our schools are the wrong way to do it. North Carolina Democrats want to expand funding for schools that need help – not allow them to falter.
The state GOP wants to minimize the liability and expense of public schools, and hand it to private interests. It makes little sense to tear down a system that has been a “jewel,” when it is only being starved for adequate funding and well-paid educated teachers who know how to get students excited about learning.
Republicans and Democrats in well-funded school districts support public schools because they work and kids do well. They provide strong, innovative curriculum, which includes modern equipment in science and math labs. Teachers and staff are well-paid and educated. Music and art class projects stimulate creativity. Robbinsville could have “A” schools – if voters look past the letter behind a politicians name and see what they stand for.
Do they stand for supporting minimally-accountable schools or re-imagined Southern “jewels?”
Perhaps fewer tax cuts to corporations and wealthy professions in the proposed GOP budget could help our kids get that “A” school.
Parents, you choose when you vote to keep public money in public schools or give upper-income parents a private school discount on your tax dollars.
History has proven we know how to make great schools happen, but not by lowering standards and diverting tax dollars to minimally-accountable private schools.
Lynne Stevens writes a bi-weekly column for The Graham Star. She can be reached via email, geminga@mailfence.com.