NC lawmakers urged to fully fund schools amid property tax cap debate
With no state budget nearly a year late and property tax caps under consideration, NC schools face funding uncertainty from both state and local levels.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina’s public schools face mounting pressure as state lawmakers remain nearly a year behind on passing a budget while considering a constitutional amendment that would limit local property tax increases used to supplement education funding.
The General Assembly has yet to approve a state budget, leaving school districts uncertain about decisions including teacher pay raises, funding levels, and support for expanding student populations. The budget delay comes as North Carolina continues to rank poorly in education funding nationally.
State ranks last in per-pupil spending
North Carolina ranks 43rd nationally in average teacher pay and last at 51st in per-pupil spending when adjusted for regional cost differences, according to the analysis. The state trails every neighboring southeastern state in both categories despite being one of the fastest-growing states in the country.
Local counties have increasingly filled funding gaps left by state underinvestment. Wake County, for example, provides teacher salary supplements, funds school construction, and covers essential services beyond state allocations.
Counties step in after state policy changes
After the General Assembly eliminated pay increases for teachers with master’s degrees in 2013, Wake County created supplements to offset that loss, effectively requiring local taxpayers to compensate for the state policy decision that impacted teacher recruitment and retention.
The proposed constitutional amendment would restrict counties’ ability to raise property taxes, which supporters say would protect homeowners from being priced out of their communities. However, education advocates warn that limiting local funding options while the state continues to underinvest could severely impact school quality.
Warning signals for education quality
The state’s low education funding rankings send troubling messages across multiple areas, according to education officials. The statistics signal to current teachers that they are undervalued and indicate to potential educators that other states offer superior opportunities.
The funding levels also signal to businesses and families that North Carolina’s commitment to public education fails to match the state’s rapid growth and economic development needs.
The combination of delayed state budget approval and potential restrictions on local funding sources creates uncertainty for school districts planning for the upcoming academic year. Many districts rely on local property tax revenue to maintain competitive teacher salaries and fund facility improvements that state allocations cannot cover.
Education advocates argue the state must address its constitutional obligation to fund public schools adequately before restricting local communities’ ability to supplement that funding through property taxes.
