South Raleigh News

Today, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed HB10, a bill that proposed redirecting taxpayer money from public schools to private schools. The Governor was joined by education and business leaders from both political parties to discuss the potential negative impact on public schools, particularly in rural areas.

Governor Cooper released a statement regarding his decision: “This bill takes public taxpayer dollars from the public schools and gives it to private school vouchers that will be used by wealthy families. Studies show that private school vouchers do not improve student performance, but we won’t know with North Carolina’s voucher scheme because it has the least accountability in the country. All public schools will be hurt by the legislature wasting its planned $4 billion of the public’s money over the next decade with rural public schools being hurt the worst. This money should be used to improve our public schools by raising teacher pay and investing in public school students. Therefore, I veto the bill.”

At a press conference, Governor Cooper emphasized the need for investment in public education rather than directing funds towards unaccountable private schools that predominantly benefit wealthier demographics. He stated, “Private school vouchers are the biggest threat to public schools in decades because they don’t improve student performance and they drain taxpayer money from badly needed investments like better teacher pay.”

Burke County Board of Education Member Wendi Craven commented, “I am an educator first and a Republican second. Education is the cornerstone of our nation and once it fails this country fails. Instead of continuing to divide and conquer, which shows a complete lack of leadership, legislators should support public education.”

Chairman of the Washington County Board of Education Carlos Riddick added, “This bill encourages families to send their children to private schools in other counties, draining our public schools and dividing our community.”

Pitt County Schools Teacher Elyse Cannon-McRae remarked, “As an educator and parent, I want my child and every child to have the education they deserve and that requires funding.”

Business Leader and Former Transylvania County Commissioner Mike Hawkins expressed concern about revenue displacement under HB10: “Rural Republican representatives know that this is a threat to our school systems and to the very fabric of life for rural North Carolina.”

The expansion of private school vouchers would significantly affect rural North Carolina counties where access to private education is limited. Over one-quarter (28) of North Carolina’s counties have no or just one private school participating in the voucher program.

Private schools receiving vouchers are not regulated or accountable despite using taxpayer money. These institutions are not required to report student performance or serve all students regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status or religious beliefs.

Public schools serving more than 84% of students face continuous underfunding challenges. North Carolina ranks near the bottom among states in K-12 funding, spending nearly $5,000 less per student than the national average.

An analysis by the Office of State Budget and Management indicated that if fully expanded, the voucher program could divert nearly $100 million from state funding allocated for public schools within its first year alone.

Governor Cooper has declared 2024 as the Year of Public Schools and has been advocating for increased investments in K-12 education, early childhood education programs, and teacher pay across North Carolina.