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RALEIGH – As the North Carolina General Assembly returns to work this week, one future lawmaker is urging a current legislator to protect funding for public schools.

Rodney D. Pierce of Halifax County narrowly defeated longtime House District 27 incumbent Michael Wray of Gaston for the Democratic nomination during the March Primary. Pierce is unopposed on November’s General Election ballot.

Pierce encouraged Wray to help uphold Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of House Bill 10, legislation which, in part, appropriates $248 million to fund all 53,706 remaining applications for 2024-25 Opportunity Scholarships.

The Opportunity Scholarship program was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2013. Scholarships are awarded based on a family’s household income and can be used to pay the required tuition and fees to attend an eligible K-12 private school.

Pierce says those scholarships divert much needed funding to traditional public schools.

“Despite rural counties like the three in House District 27 being hit hardest by HB 10, Rep. Wray was one of three Democrats who voted with Republicans to pass the bill in September,” Pierce stated. “North Carolina already ranks among the lowest nationally in teacher pay, funding effort and per pupil funding, and our counties stand to lose over $811,000 more with this recent voucher expansion.”

Pierce added that the school boards for Warren County Schools, Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, and Weldon City Schools all recently adopted resolutions prioritizing public school funding and teacher pay.

“Rep. Wray should take note and vote to uphold Governor Cooper’s veto,” Pierce said.

He went on to point out that House District 27 is home to six private schools that accept Opportunity Scholarships (vouchers). According to the NC State Education Assistance Authority, as of October 1, nearly $1.3 million in vouchers have already been disbursed in the District.

The year-end data compiled by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority has shown an increase in the number of vouchers awarded in the three counties of House District 27.

In 2022-23, there were a total of 268 vouchers granted. That number rose to 342 for the 2023-24 academic year.