FROM STAFF REPORTS
Iredell-Statesville Schools Superintendent Jeff James on Tuesday publicly criticized N.C. lawmakers for diverting taxpayer money to private schools and for failing to significantly increase teacher pay.
During a Tuesday afternoon meeting with the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, James took issue with the N.C. General Assembly’s decision to spend $500 million to pay for Opportunity Scholarships. Parents who want to send their children to private schools can apply for vouchers ranging from approximately $3,000 to $7,000, based on household income.
“It’s not fair,” the superintendent told the board. “You’re actually supporting people who are more than capable of paying for a private education. It’s a tax break. So let’s be honest with each other. It’s a way to give your constituents money back at the expense of public education.”
Private schools are not subjected to many of the state and federal regulations as public schools. They are not required to provide transportation for students or administer and report standardized test scores. They can also choose which students to accept.
The money that the Republican-controlled legislature has earmarked for private school vouchers — which will increase to $800 million annually by 2031-2032 — could be better spent supporting public schools, James said.
“Our elected officials chose not to fund teaching so with this current budget we will once again be 49th or 50th in the nation when it comes to what we pay our teachers,” he said.
“I truly believe what you put in you get out. I’m pretty sure we don’t want the lowest paid people in society teaching our kids. And that’s pretty much where we’re at in the State of North Carolina. It’s a sad time,” he added.
I agree with you 100 percent, Superintendent James. I only hope that NC voters agree as well and vote them out of office. Public schools are under assault.
Superintendent James received an $18,000 raise in 2021, resulting in $180,000 annual salary (not including vehicle provided by tax payers). Privileged administrator complaining about teacher pay! That’s “rich.”
Someone who doesn’t work in education criticizing teacher pay. That’s idiotic.
The superintendent was a special ed high school teacher. That gives him the right to criticize teacher pay.
Edward, you should be happy that Dr James is willing to work in Iredell County when the county manager makes over $60,000 and the city manager is $25,000 over his salary. Neither one of these two organizations added together are as large as I-SS. While their salaries are paid solely by Iredell County residents, the majority of the superintendent’s salary is paid by the state. You have no clue what you are talking about. You’ll not find another superintendent who will work here for that amount.
The point is he is over paid for a school system that is sub – par at best. Parents have the right of school choice and are certainly deserving of vouchers.
Shows your complete lack of knowledge. I-SS is funded 112th out of 115 schools systems in N.C., but performs in the top 10. It’s called great leadership.
Superintendent James makes some good points, however, his reasoning regarding who benefits us is very narrow in its scope and fails to address why this is so popular with our citizens. There are many parents and tax payers who choose to support these options because of the unacceptable socialization agendas and curriculums being forced on students and families in public schools today. Education as a whole refuses to acknowledge this. Some of us feel as though public school systems are not being good stewards of our children, what is being taught and our resources. As taxpayers, many feel that their tax dollars should follow the student, not go unrestricted straight to public education systems that choose to ignore the values and expectations of parents and the public. The perceived indoctrination of our youth in order to change the fabric of our society is a major contributor to the continued decline of America. I am of the opinion that America is trying to send a message that is falling on deaf ears. The voucher system represents the threat of substitution to the system that is being forced on society. Isn’t that how demacracy and capitalism works?
This is just one man’s opinion who represents only himself.
Do your tax dollars anywhere else follow you? No, Agree that the state should fund both and not take money from the system that built our country and county we live in with low taxes. The data is there, charters are no better. Our workforce is developed in public schools. I would love my tax dollars to follow where I want them. I think one of the $20 bills flow to Iran may have been mine.
Mr. Dutton, if the money follows the kids, as you are saying, if I have no kids I should get that money back. I like your logic. I’ll be waiting for my money back — $9,000!
Preach it, Dr. James! Our legislature should be ashamed of themselves and people need to voice their concerns at the ballot box.
Amen. Here are the facts. My questions is when do 55,000 voucher individuals sway legislators over the 1.5 million public school student parents? Seems like taxation without representation! 1583 vouchers in Iredell, 42% were for incomes over $115,540. Median income of a voucher recipient is $48, 962.
Dr James is correct. Where is the accountability for private schools like Cornerstone Christian academy that gladly takes the money from state taxpayers?
There is none. Will private schools provide financial audit reports and test score data, just like public schools? No, they will not.
Get your kids out of government schools! James lost credibility with me years ago when he said “it takes a village to raise at child”. A phrase directly from Hillary Clinton. My adopted son is currently a “B” student at TES. This will be his last year in government school. I am starting to see a curriculum in which I disagree. I have friends with home-schooled children. Those kids are more advanced and in some cases, a grade ahead of their government school peers. I don’t blame the teachers. I blame the curriculum that is directed by the legislature. By the lack of attention by them implies that this is not a priority with them. I don’t support Democrats or Republicans on this curriculum issue. At least I can use my tax money towards a private school with a curriculum that fosters my family’s values and social mores.
Critical Thinker, your response shows you have no clue what critical thinking is. It “takes a village” is an old African proverb that means in life we all depend on others to survive.
I applaud our NC legislators for providing every parent the opportunity to choose where their children are educated. The wealthy have had the resources to choose private schools; now the lower income will have an opportunity to make the same choices. Under Mr. James leadership, some schools have made lots of positive progress. The public schools have had a free money handout for to long. Now, the playing field has changed. They will have to compete for the money.
Public schools welcome competition on a level playing field with the same rules and regulations. This could be another article and it would expose the legislatures with their winners and losers bell curve system. When the legislatures make the rules and set narrative we the people become pawns in their political game.
Communism hates competition. Leaving kids in failing schools when there are alternatives is child abuse and ends up costing society far more in the long run.