Last week, the State Board of Education approved the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) five-year strategic plan, titled “Achieving Educational Excellence.” Meanwhile, Governor Stein signed the state’s mini-budget into law, funding core government operations and essential services. He also vetoed the Educational Choice for Children Act, though he committed to opting North Carolina into the federal voucher program once “sound guidance” is released.
Superintendent Mo Green: Striving for “Best in the Nation”
Superintendent Green’s strategic plan envisions North Carolina’s public schools as the best in the country by 2030. After months of touring the state and meeting with educators, students, and community members, Green has outlined measurable goals that include raising the four-year graduation rate, expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and leading the Southeast in educator pay.
The plan rests on eight “pillars” designed to guide progress and track outcomes over time. Notably, there is an exceptional focus on community engagement (“community” is referenced no fewer than 36 times) and includes one pillar dedicated to strengthening community partnerships. It prioritizes building relationships with philanthropic and business leaders, expanding partnerships with local organizations to support families in underserved areas, and advocating for evidence-based models like community schools that connect students and families to critical resources.
Some Board members expressed concern about limited funding and resources, a persistent challenge in North Carolina’s public schools. Green’s background in cultivating community partnerships and fundraising may help bridge some gaps, though sustained investment from state and federal sources remains critical. The superintendent has emphasized that the plan is meant to be flexible, adapting to shifting needs and realities. How he secures the funding to execute the plan–especially in a political environment marked by declining federal support–will be a key factor in its success.
From the Governor’s Desk
Governor Stein signed House Bill 125, the mini-budget, into law. While it secures operational funding for state agencies, Stein criticized the General Assembly for failing to pass a broader budget that, in his view, would invest more meaningfully in healthcare workers, teachers, and other public employees. Teachers will receive promised step increases in pay based on years of experience but not the larger salary raises proposed earlier in the year.
The governor also vetoed House Bill 87, the Educational Choice for Children Act, which would opt North Carolina into a federal tax-credit voucher program passed by Congress this summer. Stein called the bill “unnecessary,” saying he intends to join the program after the federal government issues more guidance and after safeguards are in place to ensure public school students can benefit.
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger has pledged to override the veto when legislators reconvene later this month, framing the measure as a step toward making North Carolina “a leader in school choice and parental freedom.” Stein’s veto marks his fifteenth this year and the General Assembly has already overridden eight, with the support of a small number of House Democrats. Two House Democrats, Carla Cunningham of Mecklenburg County and Shelly Willingham of Bertie, Edgecombe, and Martin Counties, voted with Republicans to pass HB 87 during its first floor vote. If just one of them does so again, the General Assembly will be able to override Governor Stein’s veto.
Why It Matters
These developments highlight the tension between ambitious long-term goals for public schools and the political and fiscal realities that shape whether those goals are achievable. Green’s strategic plan offers a roadmap for improvement, but its success will depend on sustained funding for public schools, cross-sector and community collaboration, and smart, solutions-oriented policy. Meanwhile, debates over school choice, teacher pay, and state budget priorities will continue to influence the educational landscape and the resources available to public school students.
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