Students and teachers at West Forsyth deserve the support and resources they need to succeed, and thanks to North Carolina’s Association of Education (NCAE), more than that is possible.
Right now, West Forsyth High School is facing challenges that make it harder to learn, teach, and feel supported every day.
With this petition NCAE is providing, it is giving the school an opportunity for voices to be heard, and possibly make a long-lasting change for the better, helping push for what the school truly needs the most.
“NCAE has an initiative out that’s called Kids over Corporations, and that’s what their state petition is about. People, anybody in the state can sign onto it. As to say, we want North Carolina to step up its game in funding public education,” said english teacher Stuart Egan.
A leading voice for children, families, educators, students, and the public alike, NCAE believes that every child has a right to a high-quality education, excellent teachers, and a well-funded school.
“One thing that the petition makes clear is that more public school funding is needed. Some of the demands have clear funding implications – no more cuts, more staff to properly serve students, extra pay for extra duties. While other demands don’t cost the district anything – real time to plan, and a seat at the table for public school workers,” Anya Sippen said.
These concerns are not just opinions on how the state should treat schools and their members; it connects to what is happening across the state. Right now, funding in North Carolina is already under pressure, and that bigger issue is affecting more districts beyond Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
“North Carolina is the only state in the entire country that does not have its new state budget. So all public schools are running the same numbers as last year. And when you think about it, the Leandro Decision and the spread of unregulated vouchers, there is a lot of money that would have come to public schools, but is not,” Egan said.
Unfortunately, funding in this state has been a problem for decades. State court cases from years ago still has not produced a sustainable funding system that can promise livable wages, good teachers, and proper supply.
“Back in 1990, some northeastern counties in NC sued the state general assembly for not funding them well enough because it is in the state constitution. They ended up successfully suing the state of NC, but the state has not paid up yet. And over the last 20 years, that’s billions of dollars,” Egan said.
Now, those long-standing issues are meeting the present, and local leaders are deciding what next year could look like for this district. The choices they make can directly impact students and staff, and hopefully, this time, it’s long-lasting and beneficial.
“The Board of Education and County Commission are already working on next school year’s budget. Passing a budget that reflects what educators and students actually need could mean real improvements as early as this Fall,” said Sippen.
But funding is not the only issue being discussed amongst those involved. Another major concern is making sure school workers actually have a voice in decisions that affect them. Many educators agree that being heard is just as important as the budget itself.
“Agreeing to a formal policy that gives school workers a voice puts the people who work with students every day at the center of critical decision-making. Passing a budget that actually reflects what students need means more student support, less educator turnover, more qualified educators coming into Forsyth and wanting to stay. All of these things contribute to consistency and stability in a district that has seen so much turmoil, particularly this year,” Sippen added.
When educators are supported, students benefit too. Strong schools depend on stability and the people who care enough to stay and work. Thats why many people believe this petition could make a major difference.
In the end, the goal of the petition is clear: Better support for the people and students in schools in NC. Every choice made could prove to be what makes the future of education better in Forsyth County. This is about making sure voices are heard, people being seen, and differences being made.
