RALEIGH (April 9, 2025) – It’s really tough to get into UNC-Chapel Hill. But Chancellor Lee Roberts says the University is trying to make room for more students. In a presentation to a UNC System Board of Governors committee, Roberts said applications to UNC have increased by 76%, from 48,000 in 2020 to 84,000 in… READ MORE
A sense of foreboding for UNC System
RALEIGH (April 10, 2025) – Tariffs are up, despite the president’s pause on them this week. The stock market is down – and extremely jittery. And so, it seems, are members of the UNC System’s Board of Governors. At a meeting of the Board’s Budget and Finance Committee Wednesday, several members voiced doubts about the… READ MORE
Public schools face deficits while private schools profit
By Heather Koons Public Schools First NC RALEIGH (March 29, 2025) – Public school districts across the state are working through their budget planning for next year facing threats of looming budget shortfalls expected from the loss of federal funds and the revenue shortfalls predicted at the state level. Some, like Wake County, which announced… READ MORE
Stein’s proposed budget: A good first step
RALEIGH (March 26, 2024) – It’s a very good first step in the state’s budget process. Gov. Josh Stein’s recommended budget for 2025-27 makes numerous proposals that are good for public education. How the General Assembly responds will be crucial to what this state wants to be: Does it want to be the education state… READ MORE
UNC nurses head to Asheville
By Eric Johnson ASHEVILLE (March 26, 2025) – For more than 20 years, nursing has ranked as the most trusted profession in American life. And Lori Byrd is determined to keep it that way. “Sometimes it just helps people for a nurse to come in, sit down and talk to you,” explained Byrd, the associate… READ MORE
Stein: Invest in North Carolina’s people
RALEIGH (March 12, 2025) – In his first State of the State address, Gov. Josh Stein called for investments in students, teachers, public schools and the recovery of Western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene. “The people of North Carolina are our greatest asset,” Stein said to a joint session of the state House and Senate…. READ MORE
Kevin Howell named NC State’s 15th Chancellor
RALEIGH (March 18, 2025) – Kevin Howell has been the “first” any number of times. But mainly, he is simply been a good, good person. To Howell, everyone is “my friend.” The UNC Board of Governors yesterday elected Howell – with his familiar face and smile – as the 15th Chancellor of NC State University,… READ MORE
One tight NC State family
By David Rice Public Ed Works EDITOR’S NOTE: NC State University chose to stay in the family as it selected a new Chancellor this week. We republish this post from 2016 to show just how close that family is – and just how humble Kevin Howell was during one of the greatest challenges of his… READ MORE
Vouchers: Racist legacy, help the wealthy, hurt rural counties
RALEIGH (March 12, 2025) – This is our final planned post to address misinformation about North Carolina’s taxpayer-funded private school vouchers. To access the series of five posts, follow this link. Here are the facts: •NC taxpayer money funneled to private school vouchers DOES divert money from local, neighborhood public schools. Every tax dollar that… READ MORE
Legislators step forward for teachers
By Paul Fulton, Don Martin and Doug Shackelford WINSTON-SALEM (March 12, 2025) – Last week, Public Ed Works published a piece that described a “glimmer of hope” for our public-school teachers. It covered a bill filed by Rep. Erin Pare’, R-Wake, that would invest $1.6 billion in increased pay for North Carolina teachers. The bill… READ MORE