Anti-LGBT Bill Drowns Out Discussion of Education Issues in Critical North Carolina Races
Education should have been a significant topic of discussion in the North Carolina governor race this year, particularly concerning spending and teacher salaries. However, experts believe that the focus of the race has primarily shifted towards HB2, a state law passed in March. HB2 invalidates local ordinances that prohibit discrimination against individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. The law also requires transgender individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate, regardless of their gender identity.
Marcus Brandon, the executive director of the education reform group CarolinaCAN and former state legislator, believes that the election has been overshadowed by HB2, preventing genuine debates on critical issues that will shape the state’s future. He expressed his disappointment, stating that the focus should have been on matters that will have a long-term impact, unlike HB2, which he believes will eventually fade away.
Governor Pat McCrory, an incumbent Republican who was once considered moderate, supported HB2 despite conservative governors in other states rejecting similar legislation. McCrory’s Democratic opponent, Attorney General Roy Cooper, refused to defend the law in court.
McCrory has faced negative repercussions due to his association with HB2, as he has consistently trailed behind Cooper in most polls since spring. In a September survey conducted by Public Policy Polling, 49% of voters disapproved of McCrory’s handling of the law, and 41% claimed that his actions on this issue made them less likely to vote for him. Furthermore, majorities expressed that the law has negatively impacted the state’s reputation and should be repealed.
However, while the focus remains on HB2, traditional education-related matters are still relevant in the governor’s race. According to Eric Houck, a professor of education policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, McCrory is running on his education record, while Cooper bases his campaign on criticisms of that record.
The most discussed issue is teacher salaries, with concerns that more could be done for education given the improved economy. McCrory highlights that he has substantially raised teacher salaries to an average of $50,000 per year. On the other hand, Cooper claims in a campaign ad that salaries are lagging compared to other states, resulting in teachers leaving for neighboring states offering higher pay.
The truth about teacher salaries lies somewhere in between the claims. Fact-checkers at PolitiFact rated Cooper’s claim and the ad as "mostly false." While North Carolina was ranked higher nationally for teacher pay before the recession, it currently ranks among the lowest-paying states. However, the state’s ranking actually improved during McCrory’s tenure, progressing from 43rd to 41st based on the National Education Association’s data. Additionally, accounting for the cost of living, North Carolina’s average pay appears higher compared to other states with a higher cost of living. The Charlotte Observer’s editorial board pointed out that the issue becomes even more complex since the pay raises benefitted early-career teachers more than experienced veterans. It is estimated that a significant number of teachers, possibly around two-thirds, earn less than the stated average of $50,000.
The issue of overall school spending is similarly confusing. Cooper claims that per-pupil spending in North Carolina has decreased by $855 under McCrory’s administration. There is consensus, however, that North Carolina ranks among the lowest in per-pupil spending based on estimates from the NEA and the U.S. Census.
In conclusion, education remains a significant concern in the North Carolina governor race. However, the focus has shifted to the controversial HB2 law. There is disagreement between the candidates regarding teacher salaries and overall school spending. The truth lies somewhere in between the claims, and voters must decide based on their belief in which candidate will do the most to improve teachers’ situation and support education in the state.
On other matters, Brandon, the leader of CarolinaCAN, expressed that McCrory has been a supporter of educational reform. For instance, he has supported the expansion of charter schools and the implementation of an extended voucher program. Brandon also sees potential for cooperation with Cooper, particularly in addressing issues such as disparities in school discipline and the development of new accountability measures mandated by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
The focus on the Senate and state superintendent races has been relatively low.
In addition to the gubernatorial race, North Carolina voters will also be casting their votes in a closely contested presidential election, as well as for the U.S. Senate and the state superintendent of education positions.
Incumbent Republican Richard Burr is running for the Senate against Democrat Deborah Ross, a former state representative. The race has become increasingly competitive as Election Day approaches. Burr, who is associated with the unpopular Donald Trump, has only had a slight lead in recent polls. In fact, one poll in mid-October showed that he was tied with Ross.
Burr, a member of the Senate education committee, played a significant role in a funding dispute during the deliberation of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
The previous system for distributing federal education grants for teacher training was based on population, with a "hold harmless" provision ensuring that no state received less funding than it did in 2001, regardless of the share of eligible students. The funds were also allocated based on the proportion of school-age children and children living in poverty.
Burr argued that these provisions favored larger states in the Northeast and Midwest, where populations are not growing and there are fewer impoverished children, at the expense of fast-growing regions in the South and West. As a result of the final agreement, the "hold harmless" clause will be phased out over six years and there will be an increased allocation for children in poverty, both of which will benefit North Carolina.
However, as Professor Houck from Chapel Hill pointed out, explaining this complex issue in a campaign mailer would be challenging.
During his time in Congress (12 years in the Senate and 10 in the House), Burr has sponsored approximately twelve education-related bills, with most of them focused on higher education. He was the leading Republican sponsor of a bill in 2014 aimed at reforming the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant program.
Ross, on the other hand, advocates for increased funding for preschool and K-12 education on her campaign website, as well as various measures to enhance college affordability. She also highlights her support as a state legislator for bills that allocate more lottery funds to struggling schools and her sponsorship of legislation to establish a college grant fund for economically disadvantaged students.
In the race for state superintendent of public instruction, incumbent Democrat June Atkinson seeks a fourth term. She is being challenged by Republican Mark Johnson, a lawyer and former teacher.
To say that this race is not receiving significant attention would be an understatement. According to Professor Houck, "absolutely nobody’s paying attention to that race." Brandon concurred, noting that it is not a prominent contest and that many voters will likely vote based on name recognition alone.
