School funding protected from potential pandemic losses

Raleigh – Yesterday, the North Carolina Senate passed legislation to protect school funding and hold local school districts harmless for potential reductions in funding due to lower student enrollment. This is especially welcome news in rural North Carolina, where Tier One, economically distressed counties are already struggling.

“We can’t live like this forever and the state checkbook is facing some very hard times,” said Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne). “Our rural areas can’t take another financial punch. We simply don’t have the ability to absorb costs at the local level.”

Lenoir County Public Schools Superintendent Brent Williams understands that the pandemic has created unprecedented times for education.

“During this difficult time of pandemic and recovery with student enrollment patterns in many of the communities across North Carolina being so significant varied from their normal trends, school systems are facing significant potential losses of essential resources,” said Williams. “I appreciate very much the strong support and tireless advocacy of Senator Jim Perry and Representative Chris Humphrey in working hard to make a reality the provisions to hold school systems harmless this year for what we hope and anticipate will be temporary ADM losses.”

The legislation will be sent to the North Carolina House of Representatives today for a concurrence vote.

“Some of the large, wealthy counties like Wake and Mecklenburg have resources we just don’t have in Eastern NC,” said Rep. Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir, Pitt). “We have been working hard to make sure our colleagues understand the real challenges we face. I am glad we were able to reach a broad-based consensus on this issue. I have been counting votes in the house, and I think we should be able to pass this to the Governor for his signature.”