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Blog

Our #Red4EdNC blog features the voices of public school educators and advocates from around the state. If you have something to say about what’s happening in NC on the topic of public schools, please contact us at [email protected]. We want as many voices as possible to lift up all of the good things happening in public schools, highlight things that need to change, and advocate for ways to make things better!

Ya’ll Have Enough Bus Drivers? Another Indication That NC Is Not Fully Funding Public Schools

By Stu Egan, NC educator

August 5, 2023 

[First published at caffeinatedrage.com]

Download or print PDF version


So, how many bus drivers does your school system need?

In the Wake County district (the state’s largest and one of the largest in the nation), there are not enough bus drivers.

Why?

The pay is not high enough to recruit drivers.

A large school district has a lot of students.

A large school district has a lot of roads to be traveled and more vehicles to create traffic.

But before someone makes the argument that this district should be able to attract bus drivers when it spends so much on a local supplement for teachers to stay in the Wake County School System…


…, consider that this shortage in bus drivers is not an isolated incident.

It’s happening in all districts.

In the Winston-Salem / Forsyth County School system, there were over 75 bus driver vacancies as of yesterday – FOUR WEEKS BEFORE CLASSES START.

In a state sitting on billions in budget surpluses, ranks number #1 for businesses (not workers – businesses), and wants to triple the amount of voucher money to schools that don’t have to offer transportation, this is more evidence that we as a state are not prioritizing public education.

Some might say, “Well, we keep investing more and more money in public education!”

And they would be right. But are they comparing those spending increases to what we have spent in the past on education and not comparing those costs to a truer barometer: labor costs.

Throw in some inflation and a brief look at how teacher salaries have been altered (some say “reformed”), it’s not hard to see why we have these vacancies in other positions for education support.

 

The views and opinions expressed in guest blog posts are those of the guest bloggers and do not necessarily represent the views of Public Schools First NC, its affiliates, or staff.

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Discrimination
Many NCGA lawmakers use a preferred name. Why can’t students use theirs?

By Kim Mackey

July 8, 2023 

[First published at educatedpolicy.com]

Wake County teacher, active member of NCAE, advisory board member for Red4EdNC, and author of the educatEDpolicy blog.

Vouchers
Former UNC System VP: School voucher bill egregiously undermines public ed and democracy

May 26, 2023 

[Originally appeared in the News & Observer on May 24, 2023] 

By Charles R. Coble

Coble is a retired UNC System vice president, former Dean of East Carolina University’s School of Education, and recent co-founder of the Friends of Public Education Steering Committee, seven of whom signed on to this op-ed.

Leandro
Funding Leandro Creates a More Prosperous Future for Everyone

May 26, 2023 

By Frenchy Davis

Frenchy Davis is CEO/ founder of Foundation Builders Academy and BEECS Project Rocky Mount NC.

Special Education
Why Vouchers Hurt Students with Disabilities

May 20, 2023  

By Susan Book

The mom of an Autistic kid in a Wake County public middle school

Special Education
Assistive Technology: Helping Children With Special Needs In NC Public Schools

May 13, 2023

By Jennifer Key

North Carolina parent and campaigner for special educational needs advocacy and support

Vouchers
Your Tax Dollars Are Funding Private Education At The Expense Of Public Schools

May 6, 2023 

By Christine Kushner

Former Wake County Board of Education Board Member who served from 2011-2022

Vouchers
The Problem with Charter Schools In North Carolina

May 6, 2023

By Christine Kushner

Former Wake County Board of Education Board Member who served from 2011-2022

Vouchers
A Public School Teacher’s Perspective on Vouchers

March 16, 2023

By Cecily Riesenberg

Public school teacher in Texas, where vouchers are being hotly debated right now

Vouchers
School Vouchers: There is No Upside

March 3, 2023

[Originally appeared in Shanker Blog, a publication of The Shanker Institute, on February 21, 2023]

By Josh Cowen

Professor of Education Policy at Michigan State University

Privatization
Senator Dan Blue: Opinion and Commentary​

October 29, 2022 

[Originally appeared in News & Observer on October 27, 2022]

By Dan Blue

NC State Senator representing District 14 since 2009 and current Senate Minority Leader

Teachers
Thank You, Teachers!

October 8, 2022

By Sofi Frankowski

Former public school teacher and the parent of two North Carolina public school students

Teacher Merit Pay
NC Teacher Licensure Proposal is Set to Prioritize Contractors Over Kids

October 1, 2022

By Kim Mackey

Wake County teacher, active member of NCAE, advisory board member for Red4EdNC, and author of the educatEDpolicy blog.

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Between 2000 and 2022, the number of unique books challenged increased from 223 to a whopping 2,571. Now, that takes a coordinated effort! There is a devoted anti-public school campaign trying to destroy faith in public schools. Don't let them! #nced #bannedbooksweek

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