Gov. Easley Directs $114.4 Million to Schools Amid Budget Impasse

Makes Sure More at Four, Class Size Reduction and Funds for Disadvantaged Students Continue

Raleigh– Gov. Mike Easley today ordered the State Budget Office to release up to $114.4 million in additional resources to North Carolina public schools for class size reduction, disadvantaged students and pre-kindergarten programs.  Easley’s action comes after the state legislature’s efforts to enact a budget have stalled.  The current continuing resolution expires on July 31.

“If I saw indications that we would have a budget next week that I could sign, I would have waited until the first of the week,” said Easley.  “School is starting soon and we need to get contracts in place so we can hire teachers and make sure our children have the tools they need to succeed.”

Easley issued Executive Order 120, which will set aside the resources needed to:

– Fund the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund ($17.6 million);

– Provide the resources for class size reduction ($37.5 million);

– Fund More at Four to serve an additional 10,000 at-risk four-year-olds ($59.3 million).

The governor is setting aside money for the Disadvantaged Students Supplemental Fund.  Easley initiated the fund in 2004 by executive order to provide resources to low-performing school districts.  School systems must receive approval from the State Board of Education for their plans to use the money.

The More at Four program provides high quality pre-k education for at-risk four-year-olds.  Last year more than 18,655 four-year-olds were enrolled More at Four programs in each of the state’s 100 counties.  The Governor’s executive order provides support for 10,000 more at-risk four-year-olds to participate.