Eileen Hanson-Kelly – “Here in Rowan County it could mean a budget increase of $62.7 million for our children’s education, according to Every Child NC. This investment could put our children on a path to better compete in this rapidly changing world. If we leave them behind, we do so at our own peril.”

The kids are back in school, and another year begins without a sound basic education for our children. Our State Constitution guarantees a sound, basic education for all children. Since 1994 the courts have consistently found that our state is failing to meet even those minimum standards, stemming from the Leandro v. State of North Carolina case.

This is morally unacceptable and a violation of our children’s Constitutional rights. The children are the future of our state and our nation. Why are our political leaders lagging behind, searching for new ways to get around the court’s rulings over 28 years? Right now the state has a surplus of $6 billion. Leandro can be fully funded without raising taxes.

Here in Rowan County it could mean a budget increase of $62.7 million for our children’s education, according to Every Child NC. This investment could put our children on a path to better compete in this rapidly changing world. If we leave them behind, we do so at our own peril.

I call on Senate President Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore to stop making excuses and to lead the General Assembly to fully fund the Leandro Plan. Our children all deserve a sound, basic education.

Eileen Hanson-Kelly