By Tom Oxholm RALEIGH (April 16, 2026) – There is a crisis in North Carolina of underfunding our public schools (including Charters). Consider these facts: •NC is 50th in the country in average per pupil funding from state and local sources (Education Law Center’s December 2025 report). •Our ~100,000 teachers have the lowest starting pay… READ MORE
Workforce demands, now and always
By Eric Johnson MORGANTON (April 16, 2026) – For North Carolina’s public universities, the balance between idealism and pragmatism was baked in from the beginning. The state’s original constitution calls for the promotion of “all useful learning,” and the University of North Carolina’s 1789 charter commends higher education to “consult the happiness of a rising… READ MORE
Still $159M short
MORGANTON (April 16, 2026) – At a time when enrollment is shrinking at colleges across the country due to demographic trends, the UNC System has an extraordinary story to tell – it’s growing. Yet North Carolina’s state legislature – particularly the state Senate – hasn’t recognized that growth. The state’s public universities increased enrollment by… READ MORE
Nonprofit steps in as public schools struggle
By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works WILMINGTON (March 6, 2026) – One eastern North Carolina nonprofit is trying to make a difference in public schools as they deal with underfunding and understaffing. Kendall Englehart is the Communications Manager for Communities in Schools (CIS) Cape Fear. “The mission of CIS is to support kids,” Englehart said…. READ MORE
General Assembly owes UNC System $158M
RALEIGH (February 26, 2026) – At a time when many universities across the country are shrinking, the University of North Carolina System is growing – it saw enrollment increase by 1.6% in 2024 and 3.7% last fall, to 256,530 students.1 Yet North Carolina’s General Assembly isn’t doing its part to support those students, to the… READ MORE
Rockingham superintendent weighs in on underfunding
By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works EDEN (February 5, 2026) – North Carolina’s public schools are grappling with underfunding and uncertainty because state legislators haven’t passed a budget for the current year. Dr. John Stover is in his fourth year as superintendent of Rockingham County Schools, previously working for the Washington, D.C. public school system…. READ MORE
Federal education cuts carry a price tag for NC
RALEIGH (December 3, 2025) – U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been on a media blitz lately, sharing the Trump administration’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education and shift responsibilities to other agencies and the states. McMahon calls it “testing,” saying she’s confident the department’s programs can be administered more efficiently. So certain Department… READ MORE
A pay cut for teachers
RALEIGH (November 13, 2025) – Teacher pay remains an essential issue in North Carolina – an issue ultimately for our most precious resource: Our children. And it’s not going away. Despite its rapid growth, our state ranks an embarrassing 43rd in average K-12 teacher pay.1 It has seen ghastly attrition among its teacher workforce for… READ MORE
Lessons Learned: Voucher expansion and public schools
By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works RALEIGH (August 28, 2025) – North Carolina has seen a vast expansion of vouchers – taxpayer dollars for students to attend private schools – called “Opportunity Scholarships.” The state is projected to spend $731 million on its voucher programs this year, according to the NC General Assembly’s Fiscal Research… READ MORE
Raleigh wants to pay police better than teachers
RALEIGH (May 29, 2025) – News Item: “Raleigh to raise police, city employees’ pay, but will it be competitive enough?” The article this week in The News & Observer of Raleigh went on to recount how the city manager is proposing an 11% raise for police officers, in part due to attrition, understaffing and low… READ MORE