Dear Representative Michael Wray,

If someone traveled via public transportation, and decides they want a car, is it the public’s responsibility to buy it?

I believe you’d say no.

That’s essentially the question next week when the state legislature might attempt to override Governor Cooper’s veto of House Bill 10, which you voted with Republicans to pass.

HB 10 adds $248 million of taxpayer money for Opportunity Scholarships – which pay private school tuition – in 2024-25 alone, totaling over $615 million for the year. If the program continues as scheduled, it spends nearly $10 billion by 2034-35.

Parents have the right to educate their child however they want, whether through public schools (traditional or charter), private schools or home schools.

However, if that school uses public funds, it should face public accountability.

NC private schools aren’t required to accept all students, including ESL learners and students with disabilities; have licensed teachers, publish test scores or performance grades, etc. Voucher funds don’t come from K-12 appropriations, but they still come from the general fund and are best suited for the public schools that educate the majority of our students, especially with the state capping special education funding at 13 percent of the student population even if a district enrolls more.

Rural counties like those in House District 27 (Halifax, Northampton, Warren) will be hit the hardest by voucher expansion. Our school systems are among the top employers in their respective counties, and there is already a history of public education underfunding with Halifax County Schools being an original plaintiff in the 30-year old Leandro v. State school funding lawsuit.

NC already struggles with school employee vacancies and ranks among the lowest nationally in per pupil funding, teacher pay and funding effort, and public schools in HD 27 would lose over $811,000 with this expansion.

School boards for Weldon City Schools, Warren County Schools, and RRGSD all recently adopted resolutions for the legislature to prioritize public school funding and teacher pay.

Why? Because when the state doesn’t pay enough for salaries, etc., local districts have to compensate for the difference which reduces what they can spend on facilities. Building funds come from the county, and county commissioners shouldn’t have to raise taxes to pay for local public school needs when legislators give away our tax dollars to private schools.

Rep. Wray, vote to uphold Gov. Cooper’s veto.

State Representative-Elect Rodney D. Pierce (HD 27)