HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2004-080 NC General Assembly to Establish Adequate & Reliable Funding of Public Schools~i~ ~ ~ -soa y so
A RESOLUTION SEEKING SUPPORT FROM THE NORTH. CAROLINA
GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR ESTABLISHING ADEQUATE AND RELIABLE
FUNDING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE TRIANGLE AND THROUGHOUT
THE STATE
WHEREAS, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, along with their respective school
districts, Durham Public Schools, Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and
Wake County Public School System, firmly believe that every child within the Triangle should have
equal access to a sound quality public education in a safe learning environment; and,
WHEREAS, the responsibility of providing these educational opportunities is shared between
the State of North Carolina, our counties, and our local school districts under the guidance of North
Carolina's constitution; and,
WHEREAS, while overall state educational funding has increased largely to meet student
population growth, class-size reduction in elementary grades and personnel salary and benefit
increases, state budgeting of public schools as a percentage of the state general fund has however
trended downward, resulting in reduced resources for schools without similar reductions in mandated
program responsibilities; and,
WHEREAS, elementary class-size reductions result in an unfunded mandate that does not
allow for adequate capital planning and imposes a burden on counties to fund additional school
facilities; and,
WHEREAS, parallel budget cuts affecting public schools have resulted in required state
discretionary reductions, declining teacher assistant allotments, decreased school transportation
operating funds, inadequate instructional technology support, withheld capital needs resources; and,
WHEREAS, stagnant funding for public schools has resulted in too few teacher allotments,
inadequate staffing allotments, lagging non-instructional support positions, insufficient textbook
allocations, deficient instructional supplies, limited funds for children with special needs, etc.; and,
WHEREAS, these funding deficiencies create a greater reliance on local funding, thereby
exacerbating inequities in educational opportunities across the state; and,
WHEREAS, in light of this trend the Triangle's county governments and school districts seek
support from the North Carolina General Assembly to reverse this course and establish adequate and
reliable funding of public schools;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, along
with the Durham Public Schools, Orange County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and
Wake County Public School System, call upon the North Carolina General Assembly to reverse the
ongoing trend of insufficient operational and capital funding for public schools.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly establish adequate and reliable
funding of public schools in North Carolina that matches needs, resources and mandates.
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BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution be executed by the respective counties
and public school systems in the Triangle and that this document be presented to our legislative
delegations, along with appropriate state officials who have responsibilities for public schools -
including Governor Easley, the Chair of the State Board of Education, and the State Superintendent
of Public Instruction.
Adopted and approved this. the day of
2004.
Chair, Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair, Durham Public Schools
Chair, Orange County Board of Commissioners
Chair, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Chair, Orange County Schools
Chair; Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair, Wake County Public School System