Below is a statement from Dr. Bill Harrison, State Board of Education Chairman and CEO:
“I have major concerns that the Senate’s budget would invest $300 million less than the Governor’s K-12 public schools budget. Eliminating 6,200 teachers, forcing children into larger classes, and limiting the ability of public schools to provide needed services is the wrong direction for North Carolina.” 
 

– The Senate budget would eliminate 6,200 teaching positions. The kindergarten class size average would be as high as 23 students, with individual class size averages up to 26. At the high school level, individual classes could have 31-34 students each.
– The Senate budget would cut $630 million, or 7 percent, from public schools and the Department of Public Instruction.
– The cuts to school systems also would include a $60 million cut to capital funds designed to support school buildings.
– The Senate budget would eliminate 300 of the 475 state-funded positions at the Department of Public Instruction. Budget cuts of this magnitude will make it difficult to adequately administer the federal recovery funds being sent to North Carolina. The bulk of these funds are earmarked for public schools.