Is There a Better Way to Fund Local School Districts in North Carolina?

What if there was an approach that could lessen the current challenges in setting school district budgets while also making the most of local taxes by using a more efficient process? In this episode, NCSBA Assistant Director of Communications Ben Christoph talks with Earnest Winston about the current authority to levy local taxes to support public schools, the pros and cons of the idea of school boards having independent taxing authority, and the complexities of how the overall premise would affect local school boards and their roles in communities. Earnest Winston has extensive experience in school district operations and leadership, spending almost 18 years in various roles with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; including as the district’s superintendent. While working through his post-graduate education, he has explored this idea that fiscal independence for school boards could improve the dynamics of local governing bodies in North Carolina and, most importantly, give the governing body that helps set up students for success the most accountability for student outcomes. 

NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board members, superintendents, senior administrative staff and board assistants—in its complex leadership role. We help develop, communicate, and advocate for the perspective of North Carolina school districts.

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