Topics Related to Statements from the Superintendent

While North Carolina's public schools are achieving historic results with their graduation rates and its students earning career and technical education credentials and passing college-level courses and exams while still in high school, more funding is needed to sustain and improve on these results so that all North Carolina public school students receive an excellent education.  When North Carolina is already near the absolute bottom in the country in funding for public education on a per-pupil basis and more than $3,000 to $5,000 less per pupil than even Virginia and South

The allegations that have been raised regarding alleged financial irregularities within transactions involving Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (“CMS”) are serious and warrant careful review. The State Board of Education has both a constitutional responsibility and a statutory obligation under G.S. 115C-451 to ensure that public education funds are managed lawfully and responsibly. We expect full cooperation from local officials as this review proceeds.

Today, North Carolina joined 51 bipartisan attorneys general in announcing a historic settlement with Meta to address the harm social media has done to the mental health of young people. North Carolina will receive up to $645 million from this settlement to support student well-being across our state.

I am grateful for the years of work by Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Governor Josh Stein, our former Attorney General, and their colleagues on this lawsuit and settlement.  

The North Carolina public school system, with its historic academic achievements, educates all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, religion or ability. We seek to provide each and every student what they need to be successful, and we strive to serve them in safe and affirming environments. 

I’m grateful North Carolina General Assembly leadership announced a budget framework that includes meaningful pay increases for our public school educators.  Our educators deserve to be revered for the work and dedication behind North Carolina’s historic achievements in graduation rates, Advanced Placement participation and performance, Career and Technical Education credentials, and the percentage of graduates who passed a college-level course while still in high school.

Our top priority in North Carolina public schools is our students. Our educators know that the most important place they can be on any school day is with the students who depend on them.  Those educators also deserve to be paid appropriately for their incredible work that is leading to historic academic achievements for our state.  When they are not receiving adequate compensation, it is important that their voices be heard.