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Board adopts resolution urging state lawmakers to lift EC funding cap and sends letter to all legislators
Summary
The school board unanimously approved a resolution asking state legislators to address funding caps for Exceptional Children services and directed staff to send the resolution to all North Carolina legislators after rejecting a motion to first refer it to the district's EC advisory council.
The New Hanover County Board of Education adopted a resolution urging the North Carolina General Assembly to address caps and chronic underfunding of Exceptional Children (EC) services.
Board member Josie Barnhart introduced the resolution (drawing from model language circulated at the North Carolina School Boards Association convention) and asked that district-specific data be included so legislators understand the local impact. Dr. Tim Merrick proposed referring the resolution to the district’s advisory council on Exceptional Children for review before sending it statewide; that referral failed on a roll call vote (6–1). The board then approved the original motion to send the resolution to every state legislator unanimously (7–0).
Supporters cited district figures showing the EC population and the financial strain created by statutory caps on state EC funding; proponents argued that sending a unified letter would help educate legislators and support broader advocacy efforts. Several board members said they wanted the public and state leaders to better understand how the cap limits local EC funding and the district’s request for a tiered funding model that could yield roughly $2 million more for the district if adopted statewide.
The board’s action authorizes the superintendent and staff to distribute the resolution and supporting district data to state representatives and senators and to continue work on broader advocacy strategies in the new year.
