NCAE News Service

RALEIGH — A new WRAL News poll shows that more people opposed the current amount of voucher funding than support increasing it.

According to the poll:

• 16 percent of respondents said more money should be spent on the program
• 21 percent said that the nearly $300 million figure was the right amount of money
• 19 percent said the state should spend less than the nearly $300 million figure
• 22 percent said the state should not be spending any money on private school vouchers
• 21 percent said they were “not sure”

“This poll confirms what we already know: Parents, educators and the people of North Carolina do not want their hard-earned money diverted to private school vouchers instead of supporting public schools,” said Tamika Walker Kelly, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). “Our students, teachers and public-school workers deserve far better.”

This comes after the North Carolina Senate passed House Bill 10 along party lines. The bill adds $248 million in additional voucher funding next year on top of the $293 million already budgeted, without including raises for educators or public-school staff. Prior to the 27-17 vote, several senators voiced their support for public schools.

“Think about the message we’re sending with this policy,” said Senator Micheal Garrett before of the vote. “We’re telling the dedicated public-school teachers, the ones who work tirelessly, often digging into their own pockets to buy classroom supplies, that their efforts aren’t valued. We are telling children in underfunded schools that their education is less important than providing a taxpayer-funded handout to those who can afford private tuition.”

Senator Graig Meyer added, “I cannot understand how we, as a body, would sanction taxpayer funded spending on private schools that have almost no standards to ensure that children receive the education that we know they deserve.”

By voting for this bill, lawmakers are choosing to ignore funding 1.5 million public school students over a couple thousand students. Funding for private schools might have a net positive financial impact on Wake and Mecklenburg counties as the N.C. Department of Administration shows they have the greatest number of private schools in the state, while many counties have five or less and some do not even have one at all.

Unlike public schools, private schools are not required to report student performance, hire licensed teachers, or follow the state curriculum. Several states have reported that voucher programs have negatively impacted student performance due to a lack of regulation.

A North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management report shows clearing the wait list for vouchers could decrease state funding for public schools by nearly $100 million in the first full year of expanded funding.

NCAE is urging lawmakers in the N.C. House to vote against HB10.

“The majority of North Carolinians believe in the value of public schools. This plan to increase private school vouchers by over $400 million undermines the work and support for our public schools,” Walker Kelly said.