Governor Josh Stein, accompanied by Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green, visited Hillcrest Elementary School in Burlington to advocate for a substantial budget proposal aimed at improving North Carolina’s public schools. This proposal includes a $4 billion school bond designed to renovate and update aging school facilities throughout the state.
“Too many schools across our state are overcrowded or need repairs, which often hinders students’ ability to learn and thrive,” Stein stated. “We must ensure that our schools are well-built and our teachers are well-paid so that our students can receive the high-quality education that they deserve.”
Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green emphasized the necessity of the bond, saying, “This school bond is a practical step toward the goal of investing fully in public education and ensuring that our students have safe, secure, and supportive learning environments. Our state is growing, and our public schools need the facilities and resources to be able to meet that demand and to successfully prepare each student for their next phase in life.”
The proposed budget for 2025-2027 includes a $4 billion school bond specifically allocated for improving old and outdated school buildings. The Office of State Budget & Management has estimated that North Carolina requires $13 billion to meet its school facility needs due to a steadily increasing population.
To attract and retain educators, Governor Stein’s budget proposes raising starting teacher pay to make it the highest in the Southeast, alongside increases in pay for veteran teachers and investments in professional development. Furthermore, the budget seeks to enhance student safety and well-being by increasing the number of school nurses and social workers, offering free breakfast in public schools, upgrading school security, and minimizing classroom distractions by removing cell phones.
