This last session of the legislature, Mr. Zenger voted to increase the amount allowated to private schools for tax payer funded tuition vouchers to $675 million and to eliminate household income limits to receive vouchers. This amount will automatically increase, without additional legislative action, to $800 million in the 2031/32 budget. (1) – House Bill 10 – SECTION 6.4.(a)
By reallocating millions that could be used to improve public schools, Mr. Zenger continues to undermine our public schools that educate 84% of students in North Carolina.
The taxpayer funded Opportunity Scholarship Program was initially created in 2014 under Republican Pat McCrory and continued under Democrat Roy Cooper to give students of low-income households tuition vouchers to attend private schools.
However, in 2025 the republican legislature including Mr. Zenger voted to remove any household low-income requirements so that higher income households, those who can well afford private schools, can receive taxpayer funded vouchers. In the 2026 budget, the total for private school vouchers reached $675 million.
Private schools are also allowed to establish discriminatory admissions requirements, are not required to hire licensed teachers, and have no curricular or instructional requirements. They are not required to use the same testing regimen used by public schools and they aren’t subject to the same reporting requirements according to Carolina Forward, an independent, grassroots think tank. (2)
It is ironic that in 2025 the North Carolina State Board of Education approved a five-year strategic plan that calls for “achieving educational excellence” by investing in teachers, innovation and facilities. Nowhere does the plan mention giving tuition vouchers to private schools to subsidize the wealthy.
The fact that Mr. Zenger voted to give millions more this year to private schools and voted to eliminate household income limits indicates his continued determination to undermine our public schools.
We Deserve Better
LINKS
(1) HB10 2024-25
(2) The Future Effects of Dismantling North Carolina’s Educational System
PLEASE SHARE