Representative Chris Humphrey and Senator Jim Perry spoke to students at Lenoir County Early College High School on Monday. The presentation started with Humphrey and Perry introducing themselves, and then the students were given an opportunity to ask questions of their state leaders.

“North Carolina is different from other states we are compared to,” said Perry. “North Carolina uses the top tier of taxes to fund public schools whereas in states like New York the local taxes match the state taxes to create more funding for schools.”

Since both Perry and Humphrey represent Lenoir County, the students of Early College are affected by the work of Senator Perry and Representative Humphrey.

Humphrey strives for more funding in the schools. “I would like the non-certified employees for the schools to have more funding in addition to the teachers. It makes the learning environment much better.” 

School safety was a topic important to the leaders and the students. 

“The state purchased an abandoned school building and turned it into a full functioning school safety training facility for law enforcement to practice school shooter situations, fire drills and other situational issues that impact schools,” said Humphrey. “It is probably the only facility in the country at the time it started. We keep working at a local level to work on school safety.” 

Perry focused on the economics and society perception of it.

“Some people want more School Safety Officers, some do not,” he said. “Some people want metal detectors in the schools, some do not.”

After the leaders answered the students’ questions, the Early College student government presented them with gifts of appreciation.