Education

From The News & Observer: Class size issue is an attack on public schools

By Eleanore Wood / January 2, 2018 / Comments Off on From The News & Observer: Class size issue is an attack on public schools

Smaller class sizes are good for students.  Each student receives more individual attention and a better learning experience. Lawmakers in Raleigh have created a small class size mandate, but, have not provided any resources to be able to comply.  This is a veiled attack on our public schools. Requiring more teachers and classroom space for every public…

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From The Winston Salem Journal: Tax bill would hurt graduate students like me

By Eleanore Wood / November 30, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Winston Salem Journal: Tax bill would hurt graduate students like me

The tax reform bill currently being considered by the Senate is going to hit graduate students hard.  By removing student loan interest deductions, and by making waived tuitions taxable income many students face having to quit their studies all together as the tax burden is so high it would make it impossible for them continue. …

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From EdNC: Teachers work second jobs to make ends meet

By Eleanore Wood / November 20, 2017 / Comments Off on From EdNC: Teachers work second jobs to make ends meet

More than half of North Carolina public school teachers work second jobs to make ends meet.  North Carolina lawmakers refuse to prioritize public education and it is putting stress on our very important educators.  Teachers are spending on average $500 on essential school supplies for their classrooms because of funding cuts over the last decade. …

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From The Herald Sun: Durham school escapes possible state takeover. Parent calls decision ‘a win-win’

By Eleanore Wood / October 17, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Herald Sun: Durham school escapes possible state takeover. Parent calls decision ‘a win-win’

The parents and teachers of Glenn Elementary did not want to see their school taken over by a charter operator. The community came together and made a difference for the students of the school.  The saving of Glenn Elementary is proof positive that community activism really works.  From The Herald Sun Over the past several…

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From The Greensboro News & Record: Lawmakers shouldn’t make educators feel like beggars

By Eleanore Wood / October 2, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Greensboro News & Record: Lawmakers shouldn’t make educators feel like beggars

It is true that after adjusting for inflation and enrollment North Carolina classrooms are getting 53% less for classroom supplies than they were 10 years ago.  Teachers and families are desperately trying to provide pencils and paper out of their own pockets.  Why is the General Assembly treating these items like luxuries?   From The Greensboro…

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From The Jefferson Post: Shortage of basic school supplies demonstrates legislature’s failure to invest

By Eleanore Wood / September 22, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Jefferson Post: Shortage of basic school supplies demonstrates legislature’s failure to invest

When adjusted for inflation and enrollment classroom supply funding has dropped by 53% over the last ten years.  Classrooms are really feeling the squeeze as teachers and parents are spending hundreds out of their pockets to provide essentials.  The North Carolina legislature has failed to invest in our public education, depriving students of their right…

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From WRAL: State, not counties accountable for poor school funds

By Eleanore Wood / September 20, 2017 / Comments Off on From WRAL: State, not counties accountable for poor school funds

Schools this year are really feeling the budget squeeze.  With lack of school supplies parents and teachers are spending hundreds out of their pockets to provide essentials.  Who is to blame? A state Court Of Appeals said it’s not the county, it’s the North Carolina General Assembly.  From WRAL Students and parents still fighting for…

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From The Charlotte Observer: Aktion Club of Lake Norman donates school supplies

By Eleanore Wood / September 17, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Charlotte Observer: Aktion Club of Lake Norman donates school supplies

Schools this year faced a serious lack of funding for classroom supplies.  When adjusted for inflation and enrollment classroom budgets have been cut by 50% over the last ten years.  Teachers on average are spending $500 of their own money on essential supplies.  Communities are now stepping up to fill in those funding gaps with…

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MARK JEWELL: Standing strong for public schools is best school choice

By Eleanore Wood / September 12, 2017 / Comments Off on MARK JEWELL: Standing strong for public schools is best school choice

With the new GOP budget, North Carolina drops to 43rd in the nation for per student spending.  Legislators in Raleigh continue to give huge tax cuts to corporations, while our classrooms don’t even have pencils and paper.  This is outrageous, as tax payers we expect our public schools to be funded fully, so that we…

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From The Outer Banks Voice: Chamber rounds up supplies for Hatteras, Ocracoke schools

By Eleanore Wood / September 11, 2017 / Comments Off on From The Outer Banks Voice: Chamber rounds up supplies for Hatteras, Ocracoke schools

Due to the fact that school supply funding, when adjusted for inflation and enrollment, has been cut in half over the last 10 years, teachers and parents are struggling to meet the needs of classrooms across the state.  The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce heard the outcry of area teachers and held a drive to…

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