Educators concerned over education cuts in state budget

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina's budget plan is on its way to the governor's desk. Wednesday afternoon, it passed both the House and Senate.

"This hurts. It hurts the children of North Carolina," said Charles Smith, the president of Charlotte Mecklenburg Association of Educators.

Concern about the state budget came from Smith's group Wednesday, and from the superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Dr. Heath Morrison says parents may notice a change this year because of the cuts.

"They are going to notice fewer teacher assistants and that ability to enhance instruction, to personalize learning," said Morrison.

Morrison says the state budget that has been agreed upon will cut education funding across the state. He says in CMS, the district expects to see cuts to things like supplies and teaching assistants.

Right now, he says CMS is not planning to cut jobs. But it is not filling some positions. And he said assistants who are on the job now will work fewer days and fewer hours.

The budget does include five extra leave days for teachers, but Morrison says he is concerned raises are not in it.

"What I don't want to see is great teachers not be in our schools because they decide they can't make a sustainable living in North Carolina schools," said Morrison.

"We care about the children, but at the same time we have to feed our families," said Smith. "So I know a lot of young teachers that are like, 'I'm bolting.'"

Smith says he knows teachers who are leaving for other states or just leaving teaching altogether. He says others are also concerned about a switch from career status in the state to contracts and that public money will help fund vouchers for private schools.

Smith says that CMAE is planning to protest in Raleigh for this upcoming Moral Monday.

"In North Carolina, not just teachers, but people in North Carolina are not happy," he said.

Lawmakers who support the budget say that it was carefully crafted to be fiscally responsible while still investing in education.

Morrison says the district has contacted the governor and lawmakers asking for flexibility with the budget, so it can move money around to try to absorb some of the cuts.