South Raleigh News

Republican legislators in North Carolina have made it clear that their focus for this session includes using taxpayer money to fund private school vouchers for millionaires rather than prioritizing teacher pay raises or fully financing public schools. Governor Roy Cooper criticized this decision, stating, "Of all the important issues in North Carolina, the top priority for Republicans is funneling taxpayer money into private school vouchers for the wealthy instead of giving teachers a decent pay raise. This is catastrophic for the hardworking educators who deserve higher pay and the families with children in public schools whose education is threatened by this reckless desire to give a government handout to millionaires."

The legislators introduced a standalone bill dedicated to allocating more funding for taxpayer-funded vouchers for affluent families, with most of the new funding aimed at over 39,000 wealthy families who applied for these vouchers. This move entails directing over $625 million solely for the 2024-25 fiscal year to support private school vouchers, a decision that contrasts Governor Cooper's proposal to invest in public schools and early childhood education.

Governor Cooper's budget plan outlines alternative uses for the $625 million, such as providing significant raises for teachers, offering retention bonuses to educators, and hiring additional staff for public schools. The Governor also emphasized addressing the early childhood education and childcare crisis in the state as a potential investment option. However, the current legislative focus remains on expanding taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools.

The Governor highlighted concerns regarding the impact of the voucher program on public schools, explaining that when students opt to attend private schools with vouchers, public schools lose crucial funding. This loss could amount to over $200 million in state funding redirected from public schools in just the initial year of the expanded program. Furthermore, private schools operate under different regulations compared to public schools, raising questions about the quality and inclusivity of education provided through vouchers.

Recent reports have shed light on issues related to some private schools receiving taxpayer funds while upholding controversial social agendas. Additionally, it was noted that many top private schools in the state do not accept state vouchers, limiting opportunities for students seeking access to high-quality education. In light of these concerns, Governor Cooper has advocated for a moratorium on the expansion of private school vouchers until public schools in North Carolina are adequately funded.

Legislators' steadfast commitment to prioritizing taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for millionaires has sparked debates over the allocation of resources in the education sector, with Governor Cooper and other critics urging a reevaluation of funding priorities to ensure the equitable and effective education of all students in North Carolina.