State Superintendent Mo Green hears public school concerns, except from Burke leaders

N.C. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green made a stop in Lenoir on Tuesday, March 18, as part of his “Mo Wants to Know” tour, and the people of the Northwest Region, including several Burke County students and teachers, had plenty to say about the future of their schools.

The event was one of Green’s “listening and learning” sessions he is holding in each of the state’s eight education regions this Spring. He said the feedback will help him develop a strategic plan for the future of the state’s public schools.

The superintendent spoke to about 125 people who gathered in the theater of Hibriten High School in Caldwell County. While several speakers asked questions of their own, Green repeatedly advised them he was there to listen and learn, rather than to answer questions.

Absent from the Lenoir event were representatives from the Burke County Board of Education, despite the unique opportunity to share with Green education-related concerns from the local voters who put them into office.

See related editorial, “Missed Opportunity” on Page B1.

“Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict,” said Tiana Beachler, Chair of the Burke County Board of Education. “Additionally, since the event was held in a neighboring county, it was difficult to fit into my existing commitments.

“Just to add,” she said, “one of the things that makes Burke County Public Schools so special is that many of us are not only full time employees, but also parents of young children in the district. As a result, evening events can sometimes be difficult to attend, despite strong desires to attend.”

When Greene asked the crowd how many were teachers, an attendee said about 90% raised their hands.

Two students from Morganton’s North Carolina School for Science and Mathematics (NCSSM-M) spoke to Green about their ideas for engaging youth in public schools. They encouraged him to continue to seek funding for programs that allow students to take leadership roles in public education.

NCSSM-M senior Chris Pedro, who identified himself as “a proud product of Burke County Public Schools,” told the superintendent he and his friends often talk about challenges public schools face.

“We’ve had a lot of discussions, especially related to ‘opportunity scholarships,’ which have taken almost $750,000 away from Burke County schools,” Pedro said.

The teen proposed that Green involve students in active roles at the state level.

“I think we should keep young people engaged when it comes to public education,” Pedro advised. “A lot of people here (in Burke County) have talked about leaving rural North Carolina, and I feel like if we want to keep young people engaged, we need to give them a voice.

“I don’t know whether that would look like an advisory committee of some sort or you directly engaging with high school students across North Carolina, but I think if we’re given a voice or given that opportunity to be able to speak with you and other lawmakers, that will be beneficial for us.”

NCSSM-M student Logan Rich said, “I want to celebrate all of the initiatives that are led by students and educators that encourage us to build understanding across communities. It helps us understand what it means to be in a learning environment that includes everyone.”

Rich told the superintendent he had an opportunity at NCSSM-M to co-teach a class on hate speech and how to build understanding about people from different backgrounds.

“For me the most important thing about it is we are understanding across communities and building a state and a country that has students and people prepared to lead lives full of understanding and empathy,” Rich explained.

Green heard several speakers address a desire for continued funding for programs local teachers and students fear are at risk in light of cuts in funding.

Parents and educators asked Green to press for the continuation of free breakfast and lunch programs for all students, stating students are better able to learn if they are not hungry.

Burke County parent educator Ted Pedro praised the expansion of the program that addresses the needs of the children of Burke County’s many migrant workers.

He told Green eight years ago, when he began his job, he was the sole employee in that role.

“Now there are five of us in Burke County,” Pedro stated. “A lot of our kids are being welcomed and they’re happier at school and learning more and more.”

Speakers endorsed the continuation and expansion of programs such as the College and Career Promise initiative, which allows students to take college classes at no cost while in high school.

Others echoed concerns about the Opportunity Scholarships (school voucher) program, mentioning North Carolina is ranked 48th in the nation for public school funding.

One teacher asked why, when she spends her day differentiating assignments to meet the individual learning needs of her students, the state requires all students to take the same standardized test to demonstrate grade-level proficiency.

And an Appalachian State student who is completing the teacher education program stepped to the microphone to address Green. She asked him to consider fighting for the reinstatement of master’s degree pay for teachers, and to bring back the pay scale that honors veteran educators with higher salaries than their less-experienced peers.

“I don’t think people know how difficult it is for teachers to live on what they’re paid,” she said. “Going into education, I worry about how I’ll make a living or be able to have a family.”

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein released his first budget proposal on Wednesday, calling among other things for an average 10.6% raise for teachers over the biennium and the restoration of master’s pay.

Drawing on the ideas gathered during these sessions, Green said the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education will draft a comprehensive strategic plan that includes goals, initiatives, and accountability measures.

“The strategic plan we create will advance my vision for every child in North Carolina to achieve educational excellence and for our public schools to be the best in the country,” Green explained. “For the plan to be effective, it must be driven by the people we serve — from students and teachers to employers and community leaders.”