North Carolina Governor Josh Stein made a trip to Burlington's Hillcrest Elementary School to shed some light on his latest budget proposal, a plan which features a $4 billion school bond aimed at reinforcing the state's public education system. The proposal outlines funds to renovate schools across the state that are now feeling the crunch of overcrowding and aging infrastructure. "Too many schools across our state are overcrowded or need repairs, which often hinders students’ ability to learn and thrive," said Governor Stein in a statement obtained by the Governor's office.
Accompanying the governor was North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice "Mo" Green, who echoed the urgent need for the school bond. Green pointed to the necessity of such an investment not only for maintaining but also expediting the growth of adequate learning environments that can embody the state’s increasing education demands. "This school bond is a practical step toward the goal of investing fully in public education and ensuring that our students have safe, secure, and supportive learning environments," Green said to reporters during the visit, as detailed by the same press release.
The governor's budget doesn't stop at infrastructure, it also earmarks funds to address the state of education more holistically, including efforts to boost teacher pay, bringing the starting salary for educators to the highest in the Southeast. The Office of State Budget & Management supports these calls for investment, estimating North Carolina’s public schools require approximately $13 billion for facility upgrades alone, aligning with Governor Stein and Superintendent Green's goals.
Safety and wellness for students are also on the agenda, with plans to recruit more school nurses and social workers, ensuring every child's access to free breakfast, upgrading school security, and removing cell phones from the classrooms to facilitate better focus. According to the Governor's office, these initiatives are integral in supporting students' education and well-being, part of the broader push to modernize and enhance North Carolina’s education system for future generations.
