March 1, 2024
Members of the Cumberland County Board of Education hosted their annual Legislative Luncheon earlier today. During the meeting, members of the Board, along with Cumberland County Schools (CCS) Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., discussed the 2024 Legislative Short Session Priorities with members of the Cumberland County Legislative Delegation. The priorities were approved by the School Board during its February 13 meeting.
The Board's 2024 Legislative Short Session Priorities included:
- Advocating for substantial improvements in educator compensation and continuing to streamline the teacher licensure process,
- Refining the K-12 accountability system and school performance grades,
- Ensuring adequate and equitable resources,
- Enhancing school safety,
- Maintaining the State’s commitment to child nutrition,
- Supporting infrastructure through a state capital construction bond,
- Addressing environmental concerns in Gray’s Creek, and
- Ensuring the full funding of the Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan.
To learn more about the 2024 Legislative Short Session Priorities, click here.
Concerns Over Opportunity Scholarship Program
While Dr. Connelly expressed his support for families' option to choose the best educational experience for their children, he shared with the Legislative Delegation words of concern about the impact and expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship Program on CCS.
For the 2023-2024 school year, Cumberland County students were allocated $11,920,228 in public funds for opportunity scholarships, the highest in the state out of any county.
"Based on the expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship Program, it is projected that Cumberland County Schools will see a 5% decline in state funding, which amounts to $17,174,224," said Dr. Connelly. "A 5% cut in state funding will significantly impact our educational offerings, and it is crucial that we find a balance that supports all students' needs without compromising the quality of public education in Cumberland County."
The Superintendent further shared that the current Opportunity Scholarship Program does not account for the fixed costs public school systems have to shoulder in order to serve all students who "walk through their doors."
The Board's 2024 Legislative Agenda is in alignment with the North Carolina School Boards Association's 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda, and it is also aligned with the legislative agendas of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators and North Carolina Association of Educators. To learn more about the 2024 Legislative Short Session Priorities, view the 2024 Legislative Luncheon presentation.
