“Education is the most important thing we do. It’s the foundation of everything else.” – Governor Jim Hunt
The Public School Forum of North Carolina joins our state in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Governor James B. Hunt Jr, who passed away on December 18, 2025. Known nationwide as “the Education Governor,” his relentless advocacy for public education went well beyond his time in office; he was a visionary who believed that the greatness of North Carolina began in the classroom. A true bridge builder, he led the way in transforming education from a political issue into a shared moral imperative.
He welcomed a broad community to the table: business leaders, parents, educators and policymakers from both sides of the aisle to ensure that the success of our public schools was everyone’s business. The Excellent Schools Act, passed in 1996, exemplifies the success he found in this approach; among other achievements, this legislation raised North Carolina teacher pay to the national average.
He understood, perhaps better than anyone, that true success for communities depended on the investment we make in our children. From the groundbreaking success of Smart Start to his tireless fight for competitive teacher pay and higher academic standards, his legacy remains strong and his influence will continue for many years to come.
Governor Hunt’s impact was felt professionally and personally by countless North Carolinians, including Dr. Bill Harrison– former Chairman of the State Board of Education and current Chair of the Public School Forum Board of Directors:
“Governor Hunt was the absolute definition of an education governor. North Carolina made so many strides during his first two terms on the national stage, and when he came back into office in 1992, that the growth was absolutely phenomenal. We were recognized across the nation for our public schools due to his leadership.
Aside from the tremendous impact on education, I had the opportunity to get to know Governor Hunt on a personal level. I learned so much from him during my term on the state board, and enjoyed ‘talking education’ in his office. Of the many talents he had, one was that whenever he met with anyone, they walked out of the room feeling important.”
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Hunt family, and commit to continuing the work he loved so dearly: expanding opportunity, access, and success for each and every student.
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