NC OWES $5.54 BILLION TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS—IT’S TIME TO FUND EDUCATION!

Did you know that according to Leandro v. NC, the state owes $5.54 billion to public education? This investment, ordered by the North Carolina Supreme Court, is critical to ensuring that every child receives a sound, basic education, as guaranteed by our state’s constitution. Despite decades of legal victories, NC lawmakers refuse to release the funds, keeping our children in underfunded schools while diverting hundreds of millions into private school vouchers.

Why Does This Matter?

For 30 years, North Carolinians have fought for their children’s right to a quality education. The Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan is an eight-year roadmap to addressing the systemic challenges in our schools, including:

✅ Universal Early Childhood Education – Ensuring every child gets a strong start in school.
✅ Competitive Pay for Teachers & Principals – Attracting and retaining high-quality educators.
✅ Safe & Well-Equipped Schools – Providing students with the resources they need to succeed.
✅ Pathways to Career & College Readiness – Preparing students for life beyond high school.

NC Has the Money—So Why the Delay?

North Carolina has the 11th largest economy in the United States but comes in at 49th for investing in public education. With $4.75 billion sitting in our rainy day fund, it’s clear that our lawmakers are choosing not to invest in our children’s future and deliver on their constitutional duty.

According to My Future NC, only 31% of NC students in grades 3-8 met college-and-career-ready benchmarks in 2023. Our students are falling behind while legislators withhold court-mandated funding.

The Time to Act Is Now!

Although the entire state was evaluated and included in the court-ordered Leandro Plan, The State only to wants honor the verdict for one county. We cannot let 114 out of 115 school districts be excluded from the Leandro ruling due to political maneuvering. Education is a public good, not a privilege.

To learn more about Leandro v. NC, please visit: www.iamleandro.org.

PETITION

We, the undersigned, demand that the NC General Assembly immediately:

1. Release the $5.54 billion needed to fund the Leandro Plan.

2. Stop funding vouchers at the expense of public schools.

3. Cease all efforts to delay justice or deprive NC's children of their constitutional right to a quality education.