STATEMENT: Oppose bills destructive to public education

STATEMENT FROM RICK GLAZIER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH CAROLINA JUSTICE CENTER

RALEIGH (September 22, 2015) — We all care about our kids’ schools. That’s why North Carolinians should be aware of two enormously destructive bills moving very quickly through the legislature that could have devastating impacts.

Far from what the name implies, Achievement School Districts would have a catastrophic impact on student achievement. If enacted, Senate Bill 95 would harm local schools, hamper teachers’ ability to educate and undermine North Carolina’s constitutional obligation to students. This so-called Achievement School Districts bill is actually a Trojan Horse that would destroy the foundation of public education.

Additionally, a dangerous charter school bill represents a raid on local public school money. Changing charter funding in the way this legislation proposes could take federal funds, grants, gifts and even basic child nutrition monies from your child’s school. Quality, well-funded public schools are the foundation of North Carolina’s prosperity, and this bill puts that at risk.

Parents, educators, and everyone in North Carolina who cares about education should be very concerned, and should act now to protect our state’s educational future against these bills, which are likely to move in the next 48 hours. Our state’s future prosperity depends on making the right choices now.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Rick Glazier, Executive Director, NC Justice Center, rick@ncjustice.org, 919.856.3193; Jeff Shaw, jeff@ncjustice.org, 503.551.3615 (cell).