Ahead of the start of a new K-12 school year in North Carolina, many state Democratic representatives held press conferences in their districts to discuss challenges facing public education – including lawmakers in Orange County.
A group of people gathered in the early morning sun at the entrance to the Historic Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough on Monday. Local educators and students joined the call by local lawmakers Renée Price and Allen Buansi, who each represent a part of Orange County in the state House of Representatives. Similar gatherings were held by Democratic leaders in Durham, Wake, and other counties.
The central theme of the press conferences was how the lack of a state budget is preventing public educators and North Carolina employees from needed pay raises – but also how the General Assembly is moving further away from funding many of public education’s needs.
Buansi said he believes lawmakers have been on a “conquest” to scale back or divert funding from public schools, which has been ramped up this year by the Republican supermajority. He and other speakers pointed to legislation like changes in the Opportunity Scholarship Program to allow vouchers be valid for private or religious schools instead of just public, and Senate Bill 49 which has been deemed the “Parents’ Bill of Rights.”
The most pressing need in the yet-to-be-approved budget, though, is improving teacher pay, according to Buansi.
“Right now, the wages and salaries for our school staff and teachers really do not commensurate with the value that they bring to our state,” he said. “We still rank in the bottom half of our country in terms of average teacher pay, and we’ve got public schools that are crumbling infrastructure-wise. The need is tremendous and it’s really a shame that going into the school now, there’s uncertainty around that [budget].”
Patty Berge, who is a teacher in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district, shared her perspective as an educator for decades. She said because of the lack of financial support and increased political charge around education, she’s seen long-time teachers have their “vibrant enthusiasm dim to exhaustion.” Berge said she’s even considered having to change professions herself.
“The consequences of the funding shortage in education are grave and far-reaching,” she said. “Our students deserve better. They deserve teachers who are well-compensated, motivated, and empowered to shape their futures. Adequate funding isn’t just an investment in schools, it’s an investment in the prosperity of our community, of our society, and of our nation.”
In addition to lacking those updated salaries, the Orange County Schools district will also be starting the school year searching for a new superintendent. Monique Felder and the district announced on July 28 she would be leaving Orange County Schools after nearly four years. While the Board of Education has tabbed Jim Merrill as its interim in the role, it will be tasked with finding a replacement as the district enters the third year of a strategic plan focused on valuing diversity, equity, and student needs.
As she represents the district that covers much of Orange County Schools, Price said she believes Felder did a “fantastic” job and will be a loss for students.
“I think it’s going to be very difficult to pick up the work that she’s been doing,” said the District 50 representative. “[Felder] was a leader and we need leaders to help us guide that work. My understanding is she’s still going to be in the area – I have no idea what she’s going to be doing. Yet, I think she’s going to be a tough act to follow.”
Republican leaders indicate that the earliest expected vote on a state budget will come in September – and the measure could be vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper before anything goes into effect. Price said emotional support will be important if no additional financial support is coming from the state government, and if educators continue to face additional stressors and pressure.
“Just about every teacher I’ve ever met, or anyone working in the school system,” said Price, “loves the children and [are doing] it for the children. They’re not doing it for the pay. And yet the reality is, they need to be treated with respect. My understanding is they will get the raise… now, I have no idea how much that raise will be at this point. But I do hope they will stay committed to the children, and hopefully they know there are people – like myself and Alan – that are behind them and will support them.”
Buansi echoed his belief that letting teachers know they are appreciated by their students and communities makes a big difference. He said as the son and nephew of public educators, he knows the challenges that group faces – but also the joy they can feel when hearing encouragement from those they serve.
“I know for them,” said Buansi, “it’s really meant the world to have parents and families involved, who know that their children need help and support but who are willing to essentially partner with teachers and administrators to make that happen. That’s what we need more of: partnership and respect for one another.”
The first day of class in the new academic year for Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is set to begin on Monday, August 28.
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