October 13, 2021
WakeEd Partnership Board of Directors Urges Action on Leandro Plan, Adopts Resolution Calling for Full Funding from NC General Assembly
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Board of Directors of WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd), a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting teachers and students in Wake County, has adopted a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to fully fund the Leandro Action Plan. The resolution calls on the NC General Assembly to “fully enact the policy and funding reforms included in the Leandro Plan to ensure that all North Carolina students have access to a sound basic education by the 2028 school year.”
“Our students in North Carolina have waited long enough for the NC General Assembly to meet its constitutional obligation and adequately fund our public schools,” said Keith Poston, President, WakeEd Partnership. “It’s been more than 25 years and we have children in classrooms today whose parents were in grade school when the case was filed and the NC Supreme Court has since affirmed both a State Constitutional obligation to provide a sound, basic education, and outlined the elements necessary to achieve it. Yet we still wait.”
“With more than $8 billion dollars in surplus revenues from state taxpayers, there is no excuse for not acting boldly now to invest in our schools,” Poston added.
The resolution points out that “far too many students, particularly students of color, students from economically disadvantaged families, students with disabilities, English language learners, and rural students have been denied the opportunities guaranteed to them under the North Carolina Constitution.” The resolution also states, “adequate educational opportunities cannot be provided without adequate funding”.
“Every public school in North Carolina would benefit if the Leandro Plan were fully funded. Here in Wake County, we would see significant increases in state funding to support children with disabilities, disadvantaged and limited English proficiency students, as well as more dollars for textbooks, instructional support, teachers’ assistants, and classroom supplies and resources, just to name a few.” said Poston. “All of these areas are significantly underfunded by the state, forcing Wake County to close the needs gap using county taxpayer dollars to fund what is constitutionally a state responsibility.”
About WakeEd Partnership
WakeEd Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization composed of business and community leaders committed to improving public education. Since 1983, the Partnership has advocated for excellent educational opportunities for all students in the Wake County Public School System. For more information, please visit www.WakeEd.org.
