Resolution Urging the State to Fulfill its Constitutional Duty to Provide Every Child Access to a Sound Basic Education

WHEREAS, for more than 25 years, North Carolina lawmakers from both
parties have failed to meet their constitutional obligation to provide all children in
the state with a sound basic education;

WHEREAS, far too many students, particularly students of color, students
from economically-disadvantaged families, students with disabilities, English
learners, and rural students have been denied the opportunities promised to them
under the North Carolina Constitution;

WHEREAS, the State Constitution and North Carolina General Statutes place
the responsibility to fund a public school system that provides every child in the
state with access to a sound basic education with the State of North Carolina, both
the executive and legislative branches;

WHEREAS, adequate educational opportunities cannot realistically be
provided without adequate education funding;

WHEREAS, on March 15, the State submitted to the court a long-term
comprehensive remedial plan (“Leandro Plan”) detailing specific steps State
leaders must enact to remedy the ongoing constitutional violations in our public
school system and ensure that all students have access to the education they are
owed under the State Constitution;

WHEREAS, the Leandro Plan represents the bare minimum of the steps State
leaders must take to fulfill their constitutional duties and is not a menu from which
policymakers may select their preferred initiatives;

WHEREAS, Governor Cooper’s Budget Recommendations for 2021-23
demonstrate that the Leandro Plan can be fully implemented within existing State
resources;

WHEREAS, on June 7, Judge W. David Lee ordered the state to implement the
Leandro Plan “in full and in accordance with the timelines set forth therein;”

WHEREAS, district leaders, including school board members, stand ready to
direct additional State resources to the students and schools with the greatest needs,
such that all children have an equal opportunity to realize their full potential;

WHEREAS, receiving a quality education is paramount to catalyzing the full
growth and self-actualization of students, families, communities, and our State as a
whole;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the ____________ Board of
Education/County Commissioners request(s) that the North Carolina General
Assembly fully enact the policy and funding reforms included in the Leandro Plan
to ensure that all North Carolina students have access to a sound basic education
by the 2028 school year.

Adopted by the _____________ Board of Education/County Commissioners this
___ day of _____________, (YEAR).