Amid the chatter of young voices and the everyday bustle of classroom life, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein stepped into the halls of Ferguson-Easley Elementary School in Fayetteville as teachers and students went about their learning routines; the Governor was there to talk about the future, and namely about his plans for it as outlined in his newly unveiled budget proposal, as reported by the official Governor's website. Through this visit, the details of a plan promoting educational investment became not just political points on paper, but tangible realities discussed amidst the very demographic they aimed to impact: the young minds of North Carolina’s public schools.
"North Carolina’s children are our most important investment, and our state’s budget must reflect our commitment to them," Governor Stein expressed, emphasizing the significance of a well-compensated teaching staff, robust school infrastructure, and student wellness as a keystone to his budget design, with this vision being put forth during his engagement at the elementary school, the governor’s office detailed. Dr. Marvin Connely, Jr., the Superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, held Stein's visit as emblematic of the governor’s commitment to students and educators alike, stating "Across Cumberland County Schools, our dedicated educators are making a difference in the lives of students every day, and it is critical that we continue to invest in them." Connely also highlighted the need for learning spaces that bolster student achievement by being modern, safe, and conducive to innovation.
This gesture of gubernatorial presence within the educational ecosystem parallels Stein’s substantial policy proposals; his 2025-2027 budget proposition captures attention with hikes in starting salaries for teachers—vying for the highest in the southeast region—and advocates for the retention of quality educators through pay raises, progressing career paths for teachers, and deeper pockets allocated to their professional development, as the Governor's announcement outlined. Further, the Governor has shown a strong stance on the aspect of student safety and welfare, pushing for more school nurses and social workers, complimentary breakfast programs, enhanced security measures within schools, and a notable policy looking to mitigate classroom distractions by limiting cell phone use.
A particularly ambitious element of Governor Stein's budget plans involves a proposed $4 billion bond, dedicated to the renovation and modernization of aging educational buildings—a stark bid, indeed, to lay new groundwork for the literal and figurative architecture supporting North Carolina's scholars. As per Principal Eric McLaurin, the educational leader at Ferguson-Easley Elementary, such attention to resources is crucial; McLaurin told the governor's office, "I am passionate about supporting the whole child—helping them reach their maximum potential academically, socially, and emotionally," adding that McLaurin advocates for a strong bond between home, school, and community to empower students to achieve their aspirations and stand as global leaders in an ever-evolving world, and he welcomed Stein’s acknowledgment of these necessities through his proposed investments.
