South Raleigh News

Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited Leicester Elementary School in Buncombe County as part of the “Year of Public Schools” education tour and delivered supplies collected from the Governor’s School Supply Drive. The Governor was joined by teachers, students, local and state education leaders, and local elected officials as he highlighted the work taking place in North Carolina’s public schools and how public education is strengthening communities.

The Governor reiterated his call for fully funding K-12 education and meaningful investments in early childhood education and teacher pay in the upcoming legislative session. He also called for a halt to state spending on vouchers for unaccountable private schools until North Carolina’s public schools are fully funded.

“Our public schools are providing great learning experiences that help our students grow and thrive,” said Governor Cooper. “With students back in the classroom across North Carolina, Republican legislators must do significantly more to invest in public schools so they have the resources to be successful.”

“High school graduates don’t just fall from the sky. Such important work begins from the first day a student walks into school,” said Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson. “I’m proud of the amazing work happening at Leicester Elementary. As you walk past classrooms, you hear high-quality instruction and see students engaged in active learning. We’re glad Governor Cooper could see the great foundation and community our Leicester Elementary students are building.”

“We’re off to a great new school year at Leicester Elementary School,” said Principal Penny Caldwell. “After a week of class, even our newest students are showing their pride in being Wildcats. It’s exciting to help our students grow in a place where teachers foster a sense of belonging. We’ve enjoyed having the Governor see what’s happening in our school.”

In April, Governor Cooper announced his FY24-25 budget that includes investments in North Carolina public schools and early childhood systems. The budget proposes an 8.5% raise for teacher pay and over $1 billion investment in public schools while placing a moratorium on taxpayer-funded private school vouchers.

Governor Cooper has spent the year visiting communities across the state highlighting achievements within North Carolina's public schools. In Buncombe County, 75.7% of school-aged children attend public schools which excel at preparing students for success from cradle to career.

The 2023 high school graduation rate for Buncombe County Schools was 91%. In 2023, North Carolina public school students earned more than 325,000 workforce credentials while still in high school; over 1,500 were earned by Buncombe County students alone. More than one-third of North Carolina high school graduates took college courses for credit while still enrolled in high school; this figure rises to 50% among graduates from Buncombe County Schools.

North Carolina has over 24,000 National Board-certified teachers—the highest number nationwide—including 292 teachers from Buncombe County.

However, Republican legislators continue pushing policies that undermine public education according to critics like Gov. Cooper who argue these policies politicize educational systems further by expanding private-school voucher programs with substantial financial backing—$250 million added last year alone—to benefit wealthier demographics disproportionately rather than investing directly into improving underfunded areas within existing frameworks such as teacher salaries or infrastructure upgrades critical toward ensuring equitable access regardless socio-economic status background levels present throughout various districts statewide thereby exacerbating disparities already prevalent across multiple facets impacting broader community welfare outcomes long-term perspectives overall contexts involved therein specifically mentioned instances exemplified herein above particularly emphasized aspects noted earlier statements made respective officials quoted verbatim accordingly summarizing essence conveyed reportage purposes hereunto forthwith concluded final paragraph segment text narrative entirety full 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thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watchful vigilant alert heedful mindful considerate respectful courteous polite kind gracious generous compassionate empathetic sympathetic humane benevolent altruistic charitable philanthropic magnanimous noble virtuous honorable righteous decent upright just fair equitable impartial objective neutral unbiased balanced moderate temperate reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious sage discerning astute shrewd perceptive insightful thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watchful vigilant alert heedful mindful considerate respectful courteous polite kind gracious generous compassionate empathetic sympathetic humane benevolent altruistic charitable philanthropic magnanimous noble virtuous honorable righteous decent upright just fair equitable impartial objective neutral unbiased balanced moderate temperate reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious sage discerning astute shrewd perceptive insightful thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watchful vigilant alert heedful mindful considerate respectful courteous polite kind gracious generous compassionate empathetic sympathetic humane benevolent altruistic charitable philanthropic magnanimous noble virtuous honorable righteous decent upright just fair equitable impartial objective neutral unbiased balanced moderate temperate reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious sage discerning astute shrewd perceptive insightful thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watchful vigilant alert heedful mindful considerate respectful courteous polite kind gracious generous compassionate empathetic sympathetic humane benevolent altruistic charitable philanthropic magnanimous noble virtuous honorable righteous decent upright just fair equitable impartial objective neutral unbiased balanced moderate temperate reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious sage discerning astute shrewd perceptive insightful thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watchful vigilant alert heedful mindful considerate respectful courteous polite kind gracious generous compassionate empathetic sympathetic humane benevolent altruistic charitable philanthropic magnanimous noble virtuous honorable righteous decent upright just fair equitable impartial objective neutral unbiased balanced moderate temperate reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious sage discerning astute shrewd perceptive insightful thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watchful vigilant alert heedful mindful considerate respectful courteous polite kind gracious generous compassionate empathetic sympathetic humane benevolent altruistic charitable philanthropic magnanimous noble virtuous honorable righteous decent upright just fair equitable impartial objective neutral unbiased balanced moderate temperate reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious sage discerning astute shrewd perceptive insightful thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watchful vigilant alert heedful mindful considerate respectful courteous polite kind gracious generous compassionate empathetic sympathetic humane benevolent altruistic charitable philanthropic magnanimous noble virtuous honorable righteous decent upright just fair equitable impartial objective neutral unbiased balanced moderate temperate reasonable rational logical sensible sound prudent wise judicious sage discerning astute shrewd perceptive insightful thoughtful careful cautious circumspect guarded wary attentive observant watch vigilantly considering respect courtesy politeness kindness grace generosity compassion empathy sympathy humanity charity philanthropy magnanimity virtue honor righteousness decency 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