NC education activists petition against expanding private school vouchers

Senate Bill 406 would remove the existing income caps for private school vouchers, and create a sliding scale for all North Carolina families. 

Even the highest earners could receive 45% of the full scholarship, which currently would amount to about $3,000.   

Republican Sen. Michael Lee, who sponsored the bill, was asked to justify this at a press conference on Wednesday.

“We're still fulfilling the mission of what was intended with opportunity scholarships,” Lee said. “But as we move to what we call education backpack money, we are going to move there, and that's going to enable any student to have an option beyond the school that’s in their zip code.”

But opponents of the bill say it will negatively impact public schools, where funding is tied to enrollment. When students leave for private and charter schools, that results in a reduction in funds. 

“We already have a lack of funding for our public schools,” said Valerie Brockenbrough.

She’s a member of Community for Public Schools, which is a nonpartisan advocacy group in Forsyth County. It’s one of multiple education organizations across the state petitioning against this legislation. 

“We have tons of teachers leaving the profession because they don't get paid enough,” she said. “And I don't know what the long-term effects are going to be for our public schools and the health of our communities.”

The groups take issue with diverting funds away from public schools, but also the fact that private schools aren’t required to admit all students, and have less oversight from the state. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.