statement by State Superintendent June Atkinson
"I want to thank General Assembly members for making the best of a very difficult budget year. It is clear that they heard our message to fund schools first. While facing a significant additional budget shortfall, the General Assembly crafted a public school budget that will allow us to save teacher jobs, keep class sizes from rising further and continue our most essential work. We especially appreciate the fact that legislators worked hard to minimize additions to the funding cliff that we will face in 2011 when federal stabilization funds end. We look forward to economic recovery and to the opportunity to restore the funds that have been cut from schools during this very challenging time."
Slashing millions from the 2009-10 state budget, in addition to imposing discretionary cuts on local school districts, resulted in the loss of 5,401 educators’ jobs in 2009-10.
- Restore to school districts the $225 million discretionary cuts and jobs lost from the 2009-10 state budget. Note: $198,765,000, representing 88.34 % of all discretionary cuts in K-12 education, directly hurt the classroom (cuts to teachers, instructional support staff, and teacher assistants).
- Reinstate class size regulations in grades 4-12 and put a moratorium on granting waivers allowing class
size to increase. Academic achievement for students is greatly increased when class size is reduced. - The state should assist local school districts on how to “maximize” the flexibility in designating Stimulus Title I funds received to save jobs.
- Protect the classroom and services to all students, particularly special education and at-risk students.
- Restore teacher assistant positions to ensure adequate academic support is provided for students and instructional support and assistance is given to teachers. Fifty-four percent of all teacher assistants hold an associate’s degree or hours equivalent, or a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Restore school transportation safety and maintenance training to local school districts, eliminated
due to budget reductions in the State Department of Public Instruction.
K-12’s share dropped drastically, while state public universities and community colleges historically have maintained their share of the General Fund.
- The percentage of the General Fund dedicated to K-12 continues to slide, dropping over 17 percentage points since 1970, while universities and community colleges have increased or remained relatively unchanged.
- The state’s funding for Medicaid has grown almost proportionately by the same percentage decrease in K-12’s share of the General Fund. Stop funding Medicaid on the backs of K-12 education.
- According to “Education Week”, North Carolina is not making the grade on total spending for K-12 education, scoring a dismal “F” and ranking 11th when compared to the 12 southeastern states.
- In 2008-09, the state’s spending per pupil also lagged behind all twelve southeastern states, except Tennessee and Mississippi, spending only $8,743 annually, while neighboring state Virginia (ranking first) spent $11,114.
- A recent report released by the Council on State Taxation and the Ernst and Young Accounting firm ranked North Carolina dead last in state and local taxes paid by businesses. Where will businesses find the educated workforce needed, if budget cuts directly impacting the classroom continue?
