If you are familiar with ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council), then this might be of interest to you. As a refresher from SourceWatch: The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) describes itself as the largest “membership association of state legislators,” but over 98% of its revenue comes from sources other than legislative dues, primarily from corporations and corporate … Continue reading Something Else To Consider In The NC State Superintendent’s Race – Public Vs. Privatization

“You expect at least eight weeks paid vacation per year because that is what the taxpayers of North Carolina gave you back when you were a poorly compensated teacher.” – Sen, David Curtis in May of 2014 in response to a teacher letter. “I suspect that most people, if told they could work 10 months a year … Continue reading For Those Who Say That Teachers Have A Two-Month Vacation

Here's a cautionary tale for the opening of school buildings this fall: This report from WSBTV.com was just released. WSB is the major ABC affiliate in Gerogia out of Atlanta. I grew up with it set on my television. That camp is in Rabun County in the mountains of Georgia. In fact, it is in … Continue reading A Cautionary Tale Of Elementary Aged Children And COVID-19

“Did You Know? During 2017, the state spent $3.3 billion on medical and pharmacy benefits. At the same time, costs have increased 5 to 10 percent while funding for the Plan only saw a 4 percent increase. In addition, the state has a $34 billion unfunded liability for retiree health care. This liability is a … Continue reading Remembering That Letter From the State Treasurer to Teachers About Insurance Costs? So, Would He Send It Now?

The Network for Public Education released a state-by-state list of charter schools that received Paycheck Protection Program loans. This is the list of NC schools. Almost 50 of the 184 charter schools in North Carolina received loans. From the July 19th edition of the Asheville Citizen Times: Charter schools occupy a blurry space between public … Continue reading Public Schools Or Non-Profits? These NC Charter Schools Received PPP Funding

An “Opportunity Grant” in North Carolina is worth up to $4200 a year to cover (or help cover) tuition at a non-public participating school. According to the Private School Review, there are 34 private schools in North Carolina for which an Opportunity Grant could cover the entire tuition ($4200 or less). The average cost of … Continue reading North Carolina’s Voucher System: The Least Transparent Financing Of Religious Schools With Taxpayer Money In The Nation

It's always nice when Phil Berger pretends to care about issues in North Carolina that truly affect the citizens. And when he gets his lackeys to communicate his devotion to "equity" and "gaps" it almost reaches comically tragic proportions. Below is a tweet from his "special counsel:" That's actually hilarious. Why? First, this conveys the … Continue reading How Can Phil Berger Care About “Equity” When He Does Not Even Support Public Schools?

Taught for well over 20 years. Went to schools for 13 years and college for almost 8. And there have been lots of reasons for school buildings to close. These have happened in schools where I have taught and attended: Less than one inch of snow. I grew up in rural Georgia. If it snows, … Continue reading A Dusting Of Snow, Road Conditions, Bad HVAC, But A Pandemic? Reasons Why School Buildings Have Closed.

The above tweet is a little off on DeSantis's kids going to schools and might misrepresent Rubio, but.... From the Tampa Bay Times: "With Florida’s schools emerging as the latest battleground in the fight over coronavirus public health measures, the state’s three top Republicans aren’t entirely in agreement about what they think is the safest … Continue reading “As Long As It’s Your Kid And Not Mine” – Political Hypocrisy Of Sending Students To Fully “Reopened” Schools

In 2011 North Carolina got a super-majority in the NC General Assembly and the rise of Sen. Phil Berger as the most powerful lawmaker in the state. Then we got the removal of due-process rights, graduate degree pay bumps removed, less per-pupil expenditures, vouchers, unregulated charter school growth, school performance grading system, class size cap … Continue reading Phil Berger Made NC’s State Superintendent A More Powerful Position -Why We Need To Elect Jen Mangrum