Education in North Carolina Relies on Federal Funding; So Why Do These Republicans Want to Get Rid of It?

Source: EdNC

Recently, WRAL published an article detailing the views of two extremists running for office in North Carolina: Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor, and Michele Morrow, the Republican candidate for superintendent of public instruction, regarding federal education funding. This has sparked curiosity about whether Robinson or Morrow might encourage state lawmakers to reject federal funds if elected.

The article highlights Robinson’s comments:

“If I had my way,” Robinson said, “I’d refuse the check. I don’t want your money. It comes with too many unwanted obligations. We don’t need it.”

He added, “There shouldn’t be a federal department of education, period.”

Similarly, Morrow expressed concern over the strings attached to federal funding:

“People need to understand that with every dollar from the federal government comes an expectation to push their agenda,” Morrow said. She added, “We don’t need your money; we’ll handle it as a state.”

How much federal money is involved? Quite a bit. According to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s annual budget report, the state receives $1.10 billion in federal funding, excluding funds for child nutrition and COVID relief.

The funding from the federal government pays for vital programs in schools, including:

  • $688 million supported lower-income students and the schools that serve them.
  • $531 million went to school nutrition programs.
  • $380 million served students with special needs.
  • $43 million supported career and technical education.
  • $33 million funded other programs, including substance abuse and mental health care.

For 2025, the U.S. Department of Education estimates North Carolina will receive $1.2 billion for elementary and secondary education alone, with another $713 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for child nutrition. Federal aid is especially crucial for states facing unexpected expenses, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, during which North Carolina received $6.3 billion in federal relief.

In addition to the Department of Public Instruction, other entities in the state, such as Duke University, Village of Wisdom, and Appalachian State University, benefit from federal grants for various educational programs.

These calls to eliminate the Department of Education and decline federal funding are not new at all. For years, Republicans have floated such proposals, often driven by concerns over bureaucratic inefficiency, overspending, and federal overreach. Former President Donald Trump has called for the elimination of the Department of Education since his election in 2016, and it is a fundamental component of his Project 2025 plan. 

Project 2025, a conservative initiative, and the 2024 GOP platform both advocate for eliminating the Department of Education and completely privatizing education. Project 2025 also suggests converting federal funds into block grants or cutting them altogether and removing any program related to LGBTQ+ youth or diversity, which would have profound and devastating consequences for civil rights, school funding, students’ progress, and the fate of public schools. 

In North Carolina, rejecting federal funding could have significant consequences for local school districts. A recent analysis by the N.C. Justice Center estimated the state could lose $1.7 billion in federal revenue for education. The cuts would disproportionately affect districts serving high-need students, reducing resources such as teachers, support staff, and mental health professionals.

Read more from EdNC

Share:

More Posts

NC House Democrats Stand United Against SB 153

SB 153 is a right-wing bill that would burden local law enforcement, infringe on the rights of local governments, and further empower ICE to perform unconstitutional raids on North Carolina communities. 

Redadas de ICE en Charlotte y Concord: Intensificación de Arrestos de Inmigrantes en Carolina del Norte

En una reunión celebrada el 21 de mayo en la sede de ICE en Washington, el principal asesor del presidente Trump, Stephen Miller, y la secretaría de Seguridad Nacional, Kristi Noem, instruyeron a los oficiales de inmigración a aumentar los arrestos diarios a 3,000, triplicando la cifra alcanzada en los primeros meses del mandato de Trump. Este objetivo forma parte de un esfuerzo por ejecutar la operación de deportación más grande en la historia de Estados Unidos. 

Trump’s FEMA Denies North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene Aid Request, Again

“FEMA’s denial of our appeal will cost North Carolina taxpayers potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up out west,” Stein explained. “The money we have to pay toward debris removal will mean less money toward supporting our small businesses, rebuilding downtown infrastructure, repairing our water and sewer systems, and other critical needs.”

3 Million People Could Lose SNAP Under GOP Plan, Gov. Stein Warns of NC Fallout

“If Congress goes forward with these plans, our state will be forced into perilous budget decisions – should North Carolinians lose access to food, or should we get rid of other essential services?” Gov. Stein wrote. “I urge our members of Congress to reject this budget proposal so that North Carolina families don’t go hungry.”