A Third-Person Open Letter to Darrell Allison and the PEFNC – Why Hide Behind the Ambiguity?

Lindsay Wagner’s latest piece for the AJ Fletcher Foundation entitled “Are publicly-funded private school vouchers helping low-income kids? We don’t know” showcases one of the primary redundancies purposefully used by funded “school choice” advocates in the quest to make sure that the best way to argue for “freedom in choosing schools” in North Carolina is … Continue reading A Third-Person Open Letter to Darrell Allison and the PEFNC – Why Hide Behind the Ambiguity?

The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion

  Public Schools First NC (PSFNC.org), an organization that supports advocacy of public education in North Carolina, regularly sends out very informative factoids through social media that give texture to the landscape of the politics associated with public education. With the current recess of the General Assembly after its disastrous budget proposal for public education, … Continue reading The NCGA’s Plan to Make School Performance Grades Fuel Voucher Expansion

Trinity Christian School and Being GRANTed the OPPORTUNITY to Embezzle

Last week’s plea-bargain agreement of the teacher/coach at Trinity Christian School in Fayetteville, NC is yet another outward manifestation of a much deeper condition, a symptom of a bigger problem – fully-funded schools. And the slap on the hand that was received by Heath Curtis Vandevender for embezzling nearly $400,000 of tax-payer money seems to … Continue reading Trinity Christian School and Being GRANTed the OPPORTUNITY to Embezzle

The Stench of SB599 – Raleigh Knows Why We Have a Teacher Shortage. They Created It.

“The overall premise of this bill is to ensure that we have a proper teacher pipeline going into the schools.” - Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, R- Wilkes, in response to questions about SB599 on House floor in Raleigh on June 26. Senate Bill 599 is the bill (as Alex Granados from EdNC.org reports), that, “allows organizations … Continue reading The Stench of SB599 – Raleigh Knows Why We Have a Teacher Shortage. They Created It.

Robbing Peter to Pave For Paul – Rep. Jon Hardister’s Misguided Amendment for Charter Schools

Robbing Peter to pave for Paul. That’s what a recent amendment from Rep. Jon Hardister would do. According to the News & Observer, A budget amendment from Rep. Jon Hardister, a Greensboro Republican, cuts $2.5 million in road maintenance money to provide grants for charter schools that serve low-income students and want to provide student … Continue reading Robbing Peter to Pave For Paul – Rep. Jon Hardister’s Misguided Amendment for Charter Schools

The North Carolina Senate’s Education Budget and The Rise of “Pathologia Boven Excrementum”

"Frankly, we believe a better use of tax dollars is to move those from an unaccountable bureaucracy and into the classroom where those dollars will actually benefit students." – Sen. Chad Barefoot, May 17th, 2017 (http://www.wral.com/senate-proposes-cutting-8-state-education-staffers-including-42-year-employee/16707728/). The above was stated by Barefoot in response to questions as to why the recent NC Senate budget proposal … Continue reading The North Carolina Senate’s Education Budget and The Rise of “Pathologia Boven Excrementum”

Open Letter to Sen. Chad Barefoot Concerning His Words on HB13

Dear Sen. Barefoot, Your recent comments concerning the stalled House Bill 13 that would help local school districts navigate a stubborn legislative obstacle is yet another example of why so many people who advocate for the constitutionally protected public school system view you as hypocritical and piously partisan. While Guilford County has already served notice … Continue reading Open Letter to Sen. Chad Barefoot Concerning His Words on HB13

For Once I May Have Liked What Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Said – But Not For the Reasons He Would Like

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest’s recent comments concerning “bridging the digital divide” at the “Advocacy Day for Making Rural School Districts a Priority” event were actually very heartening to hear – for more than one reason. If you have followed the North Carolina public school funding discussion, disparities between affluent metropolitan areas and economically depressed rural … Continue reading For Once I May Have Liked What Lt. Gov. Dan Forest Said – But Not For the Reasons He Would Like

Why I Am Applying For An Application To Open An Accounting Charter School to Audit All Religious Schools In NC That Take Voucher Money…Or

Why Lindsay Wagner's article today on Trinity Christian School should make us rethink the Opportunity Grants. We need this kind of journalistic integrity more now than ever. http://ajf.org/ncs-largest-voucher-school-embroiled-embezzlement-scandal-submits-incomplete-financial-statements-state/ "NC’s largest voucher school, embroiled in embezzlement scandal, files incomplete financial statements with state"

The NC General Assembly Should Cap Class Sizes and Fund For Arts and PE – Jesus and Churchill Would. It’s About Investing In Our Kids, Not Using Them As Pawns.

Arika Herron’s recent Winston-Salem Journal column this past Sunday entitled “Too big to learn? Schools seeking waivers for exceeding class-size limits” brought to mind the ongoing disconnect that legislative leaders in our state have with reality when it comes to curbing class sizes in public schools. As reported last fall in a variety of media … Continue reading The NC General Assembly Should Cap Class Sizes and Fund For Arts and PE – Jesus and Churchill Would. It’s About Investing In Our Kids, Not Using Them As Pawns.