Thoughts on NC’s Education Budget
Yesterday, I made these remarks on the floor of the NC House regarding the Joint Conference Committee Report on the NC Appropriations Act of 2019
Thank you, Madame Speaker. Members, I rise today to express my sincere disappointment with this Budget and the funding which has been appropriated to K-12 public education.
When we talk about this budget, we should point to not what it does, but what it doesn’t do. We should all note that this “compromise” budget somehow spends less on education than either of the original House or Senate Budgets. This budget leaves total school funding 2.9% below pre-Recession levels when adjusted for enrollment growth and inflation. Of the 24 biggest allotments from FY 2008–2009, 20 of them remain below pre-Recession levels, which means were are giving schools:
Nearly 800 fewer teachers
Nearly 500 fewer instructional support personnel such as psychologists, nurses, counselors, social workers and librarians.
More than 6,400 fewer teacher assistants
More than 40% cuts in textbooks, classroom supplies and school technology
This budget also does nothing to address the widening inequality in our achievement gaps for African-American, Latinx and low income students and actually failed to modify the statewide A-F school grading system which continues to stigmatize our state’s poorest schools.
North Carolina was once known nationwide as a leader in public education. Returning North Carolina schools to pre-Recession levels, when our state has a revenue surplus, should be the bare minimum we should expect from this budget if we truly support public education, and don’t just give our support lip service.
North Carolina’s student population is growing by 20,000 students a year. To respond to the challenge of educating more students, we need to focus on hiring and retaining teachers. To do that, we need to find ways to make being a public school teacher more attractive to young professionals. But this budget under funds education in ways that deprioritize teacher retention and will negatively affect the quality of education that our students will receive in the classroom.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the proposed under-spending on public education in this budget:
- No additional pay raise for teachers with 0–15 years of experience
- Raises that were provided barely keep pace with inflation
- Starting pay will be frozen at $35,000 for the sixth consecutive year- adjusted for inflation, that salary is 9.5% below the starting salary in FY 2015–2016
- No advanced degree pay for teachers
- No Restoration of Retiree Medical Benefits
- School teachers receive individualized supply spending budgets which takes away bulk purchasing power from LEAs, actually resulting in a decrease in the classroom supply budget by $5 million by FY 20–21, which puts a strain on District budgets
- Non-certified school employees were given an inadequate 1% raise instead of receiving a living wage of at least $15 per hour
- No school bond to secure the future funding of school construction projects, which are now estimated to cost over $8 billion
Members, our education system will not succeed if we keep cutting teacher’s benefits. By not providing a pay raise for teachers with 0–15 years of experience, this budget does not prioritize attracting or retaining young teachers at the beginning of their careers. To do that, we need to give them a raise within the first five years of employment. We need to guarantee that when they retire, they’ll have medical benefits and that they’ll receive the dignity and respect of a cost of living adjustment more than once a decade and by more than half a percent. Finally, we need to show teachers that we’re invested in their professional careers by paying them for their outstanding academic achievements by restoring Advanced Degree pay. The budget shows our priorities. Is it any wonder that enrollment in our education programs has plummeted?
This budget does not do nearly enough to provide capital funding to all districts for new school construction. Under the SCIF plan, the budget has proposed to give schools $1.5 billion over an unspecified amount of time, but the process for distribution is uncertain. Until distribution is determined, local governments cannot enter into contracts based on a “promise” of funding under the SCIF. They have to wait until awards are provided in order to begin work, which greatly complicates construction planning. Awards will be based on who has the ‘greatest need’ which is determined by the state superintendent instead of rational, objective criteria. We need a school bond that secures funding for future school construction. With interest rates at historic lows, the failure to pass a statewide school bond is irresponsible financial planning.
It is time for legislators to stop pretending that we know best, and finally listen to what educators really need: Respect for our retiree teachers by providing adequate cost of living adjustments and better retirement benefits. Advanced Degree Pay. Support staff who are compensated in their jobs with a living wage of $15 dollars an hour. Responsible planning for our huge school infrastructure needs. Health care for our students and families through Medicaid expansion.
Our schools, our teachers, and our support staff deserve better from us. Our children and our students deserve better from us. Our state deserves better. I urge you to reject this budget. Thank you.
