NC Republicans Boost School Voucher Program, Deny Teacher Pay Raise

TL/DR –

The North Carolina General Assembly has approved a $463 million expansion to the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides private school vouchers. The move has attracted criticism as it failed to allocate extra funding for raising teacher pay and is seen as diverting resources from public schools. The scholarship program, projected to cost an estimated $5 billion over the next decade, is expected to benefit largely wealthy families while causing financial strain on public school budgets, and possibly worsening the existing teacher shortage in North Carolina.

The Opportunity Scholarship program expansion, approved by the General Assembly, has faced backlash for not increasing teacher pay but favoring affluent families for private schooling. Many argue this decision compromises public schools and their educators and students.

The North Carolina House of Representatives, by a vote of 67-43, sanctioned a substantial $463 million uptick in funding for the state’s private school voucher program on Wednesday. The Opportunity Scholarship program will get an extra $248 million this academic year, taking the state’s total private school voucher program to $541 million for the 2024-2025 school year, and another $215 million for the following year.

Over the next decade, this additional voucher funding will reach a staggering $5 billion.

The expanded program is poised to eliminate a waitlist of around 54,000 students seeking vouchers for private schools, offering up to $7,500 per student. Critics argue that this funding could be better used to support public schools, teachers, and the majority of students who are unable to afford private education.

11th grade student Giancarlo Nolasco voiced his frustration with the voucher expansion, highlighting the struggle of public schools like his own, Jordan Matthews High School, due to resource scarcity. The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) President Tamika Walker Kelly also criticized the decision, calling it “dangerously irresponsible.”

Notably, the final bill does not include any allocation for teacher pay raises, despite North Carolina teachers being among the nation’s lowest paid. Furthermore, a recent WRAL poll found nearly 25% of North Carolinians oppose any amount of voucher funding.

The impact on local school systems, counties, and parents

According to a recent report, North Carolina spends the least per student in the country, around $5,000 less than the national average. The voucher program is set to further strain the already stretched resources of public schools. Critics argue that it could exacerbate the ongoing teacher shortage and may deter businesses from investing in a state with underfunded schools.

The long-term impact of vouchers

If the state continues its current trajectory, parents and legislators worry about the future of education in North Carolina. Despite being ranked as the second best state for business in 2024, experts warn that neglecting public schools could impede future progress.

Many parents are concerned about the potential impact of the vouchers on struggling school systems. They argue that funds should be directed towards improving public schools, instead of subsidizing wealthy families for private education.

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