Buncombe County Board of Education Opposes Private School Vouchers

Buncombe County Board of Education Opposes Private School Vouchers

The Buncombe County Board of Education is not happy with the direction state legislators are taking in funding schools. The school board passed a resolution 7-0 in a special meeting June 27 calling on the N.C. General Assembly to increase teacher salaries, allocate funding for early childhood education, and put a moratorium on the state’s private school voucher program.

State’s Voucher Program Expansion

The proposed expansion of the opportunity scholarship program aims to clear a waitlist of 55,000 qualified applicants, after a law passed last fall removed income caps from the program. The 2023 law eliminated a requirement that vouchers be accessible only to households that fall below certain income levels, as long as at least 50% of total annual funds go to children whose families qualify for free and reduced-price school meals.

More than 32,500 students received vouchers this school year, 817 of which were from Buncombe County. Because the state funds schools based on attendance, public districts lose funding when students migrate to private schools. The current money used for vouchers could instead be invested into public education.

Financial Implications

The Office of State Budget and Management estimates that Buncombe County’s two public school districts could be out a combined $5.6 million in fiscal year 2027 due to the projected loss of funds. Superintendent Rob Jackson expressed concerns about the lack of transparency for parents and taxpayers regarding the spending of these dollars on education.

Budget Concerns

At the same meeting, the board passed a six-month interim budget to ensure district employees and functions are paid for through November while waiting for the final allocation. Despite receiving only $3.4 million of its $13.5 million request from the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, school board members stated that the county is doing its best, and the funding gaps lie with the state.

Public Education Impact

Board member Kim Plemmons expressed disappointment with the current state funding levels, emphasizing that it’s hurting public education. The board’s resolution seeks to address the financial strain private school vouchers place on public schools and calls for a reevaluation of the state’s funding priorities.

This move by the Buncombe County Board of Education underscores the importance of ensuring adequate resources for public education to maintain quality and equity for all students.