Weekend Joe: NC Public Schools in Crisis
- dalton buchanan
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
As the Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) near the end of the ’24-’25 school year, they are working with the Henderson County Commissioners to negotiate a vital piece of the ’25-’26 school year budget. The process has already revealed that our schools will be even more stressed financially next year. The administration in Washington is focused on dismantling the Department of Education, while our own state legislature is continuing its efforts to push our entire public school system to the brink of financial ruin.
The Dire Funding Outlook
Federal spending for education is expected to fall by $12 billion under former President Trump’s 2026 budget blueprint, which includes eliminating the federal Department of Education. The new Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon (former WWE CEO), is a key player in this push.
Key federal programs like Title I and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) are on the chopping block:
Title I supports education for low-income students, helping close achievement gaps by providing extra funding to schools based on poverty rates.
IDEA ensures special education and related services for children with disabilities, supporting early intervention for infants and toddlers. Federal funding makes up about 10% of the total annual school budget.
Teacher Salaries: A Mixed Bag
In the early 2000s, North Carolina’s public school quality metrics were rising. But after 2015, when Republicans gained control of the state legislature, progress stalled and teacher pay began to slip.
In just the past year, North Carolina fell five spots to 43rd in the nation for teacher pay. The House budget proposal increases starting teacher base pay from $41,000 to $48,000 in 2025-26, and to $50,000 the following year. However, teachers with 25+ years of experience would only receive a 2.1% raise. Meanwhile, the voucher fund is set to explode.
NC Public School Investment: Lowest in the Nation
North Carolina allocates just 2.32% of its GDP to K-12 public schools—the lowest percentage in the country. Instead of funding our schools, lawmakers like Senator Tim Moffitt, Representative Jennifer Balkcom, and Representative Jake Johnson have directed $6.5 billion over eight years to private school vouchers.
Call to Action
In Henderson County, public school funding has been slipping for years. Now, as funding for ’25-’26 is decided over the next few weeks, it’s critical to act. Public Schools Strong Henderson County (PSS) is asking our community to urge the County Commissioners to fully fund the HCPS budget request.
The Situation:
The HCPS Board of Education has requested $37.6 million for next year, split into:
County Expenses: Daily school operations, including the local teacher supplement.
Capital Outlay: Facility upgrades and improvements.
Major Projects Include:
✅ Upgrading/replacing HVAC at East & West Henderson High Schools
✅ Replacing carpet and tile in multiple schools
✅ Purchasing a new bus for safe student transportation
✅ Enhancing school security with materials and equipment
✅ Other essential upgrades for staff, parents, and students
How You Can Help:
📧 Email or Call Your County Commissioner
Contact: Bill Lapsley, Rebecca McCall, Mike Edney, Jay Egolf, Sheila Franklin
Contact info: Henderson County Board of Commissioners
Sample Message (Insert your personal story if possible):
Hello,
My name is [Your Name] and I am a proud [parent/teacher/community member].
I am asking you to fully fund the Henderson County Board of Education 2025-2026 Appropriation Request. This request supports our students, families, and staff through critical projects including HVAC upgrades, safer facilities, and secure transportation. Please approve the full budget request.
Thank you.
🗓️ Attend the County Commissioner Meeting
Date: June 2nd, 5:30 PM
Location: 1 Historic Courthouse Square, Hendersonville
Show Support: Hold a sign (provided by PSS) showing your support for the budget request.
🗣️ Give a Public Comment
Arrive before 5:30 PM to sign up.
PSS will provide short statements you can read if you don’t have one prepared.
👕 Join PSS (Public Schools Strong Henderson County)
No fee, just a brief online training. Get a free t-shirt to wear at School Board meetings.
Let’s Stand Together
The uncertainty surrounding federal contributions makes securing local funding critical. Support our schools by contacting our commissioners, attending meetings, and reaching out to state lawmakers. Our students, teachers, and community deserve a fully funded public school system.
💪 Let’s work to protect our children’s future.
✍️ Weekend Joe
✍️ Carolann Connor