Article Summary –
North Carolina’s Senate and House overrode Governor Cooper’s veto of HB 10, expanding private school vouchers to 55,000 more students regardless of income. Critics, like Cooper, argue it diverts funds from public schools and disaster recovery in Western NC. The plan will cost $5.8 billion by 2033.
North Carolina Senate Expands Private School Voucher Program
In a decisive 30-19 vote, the North Carolina Senate overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of HB 10, following the House’s earlier decision. The bill significantly broadens the state’s private school voucher system, increasing potential vouchers by 55,000. This move enhances the Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides taxpayer funds to parents enrolling children in participating private schools. The state’s education budget will now include $5.8 billion in funding through 2033.
The override vote occurred after the House voted 72-44 on Tuesday. Governor Cooper criticized the legislature for prioritizing voucher expansion while many Western North Carolina counties still need financial aid post-Hurricane Helene. Cooper stated, “legislators should invest billions in Western North Carolina recovery instead of locking funds for private vouchers,” as mentioned in a statement last week.
State Rep. Julie von Haefen criticized the Republican supermajority’s priorities, noting the vast majority of North Carolina’s children attend public schools. In her debate comments, she stated that the “hardest hit counties will be most affected, as their families do not benefit from the millions appropriated in this bill.” Most private schools in Western North Carolina are concentrated in Buncombe County, limiting accessibility for affected regions.
How Scholarships are Awarded
Scholarship funds are allocated based on household income and size, with students categorized into Tiers 1-4. Tier 1 students receive up to $7,468 towards tuition. Carolina Journal reported that out of roughly 72,000 scholarships awarded this year, 13,511 were in Tier 1.
The average cost of private education for 2024-2025 is $11,038 annually. Even with maximum scholarship, Tier 1 families will likely cover remaining tuition costs out of pocket.
What it Means
The immediate impact of HB 10 is an additional $541 million allocated to the Opportunity Scholarship for the current school year. This affects public schools as each transfer loses them about $7,500 in funding. North Carolina already spends $10,791 per student, significantly below the national average.
North Carolina Association of Educators President Tamika Walker Kelly condemned the funding shift, stating it’s irresponsible to spend millions on private vouchers while public schools are underfunded. The bill also mandates local sheriffs’ cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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