This study explored the impact of rural school district consolidation in eastern North Carolina. Wilkins County is a low-income, low-performing county with an average daily membership (ADM) of 1,501 students. This county suffers from rural population decline, decreasing ADM, and is categorized as low performing, with only two of the six schools…

This study explored the impact of rural school district consolidation in eastern North Carolina. Wilkins County is a low-income, low-performing county with an average daily membership (ADM) of 1,501 students. This case study reviews the process of consolidation one year after the 2017-2018 consolidation in terms of academic, financial, and…

Building a stronger teacher workforce requires the thoughtful orchestration of multiple processes working together in a human capital system. This white paper presents a framework that can be used to take stock of current efforts to enhance the teacher workforce in school districts or educational organizations, as well as their underlying theories…

This report examines funding disparities between two seemingly similar schools in Virginia and North Carolina. It finds that the federal, state, and local policies designed to distribute education funds systematically provide more money to higher-income students and wealthier schools. (Contains 5 figures.) [This report was also produced by the…

The purpose of this report is to identify the use of North Carolina's dropout prevention funds by local school systems and to define the types of services provided to students. Part I of the report contains a summary of funding by program type. A chart lists the total amount of funds obligated from state dropout prevention and other program…

Explains how one North Carolina school district was able to pass high-dollar bond issues for school construction. Discusses the planning and bidding processes, and the district's philosophy towards incorporating innovative changes in design and equipment. (GR)

Under the School Improvement and Accountability Act (SIAA) of 1989, North Carolina school districts developed plans for educational improvement. During the 1989-90 school year, 134 school districts developed responses to the SIAA, and all included differentiated teacher salary/pay plans. These pay plans are analyzed, and several generalizations…

Investigates whether five southern school districts increased or decreased outlays for public education as schools became desegregated. Indicates a pattern of continuity and stability in public finance during the 1970s. Suggests changes in school finance are independent of trends in school desegregation. (TRS)

"The 2009 Legislative Briefing" is a topical summary of actions during the 2009 legislative sessions that affect education in the 16 SREB states. Topics include: state budgets and the economy; tax and revenue; teacher and faculty pay raises; retirement systems; issues affecting teachers and education leaders; health and safety;…

This paper explores educational financial flexibility with a focus on the specific issues surrounding local flexibility in North Carolina school districts. Strategies that states have used to increase local financial flexibility include waivers, reduction of budget categories, block grants, and school-based budgeting. The North Carolina system of…

For 10 years the Public School Forum has conducted an annual study of local school finance in North Carolina. The results of the 1997 study are presented in this report. It is intended to enable policymakers and the public at large to compare communities' ability and relative effort to provide financial support for their public schools. The report…

This manual has been compiled for use in the preparation and administration by North Carolina school districts of the standard budget format and budget resolution. A budget is a financial operating plan consisting of estimates of the proposed expenditures for a given period of time and the anticipated revenues that will finance the expenditures.…

The purpose of this report is to analyze how the administrative and paperwork requirements with which local school districts must comply have been affected by the consolidation of 28 federal education programs into the Chapter 2, Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (ECIA) block grant. The information reported is based on interviews with…

This article examines disparities in spending and number of employees in North Carolina's school administrative units relative to per capita income in these units. It suggests that North Carolina has been more successful than most states in reducing disparities between low- and high-income units. Six graphs are provided. (DCS)

This brief report describes funding structures for public schools in North Carolina. It is divided into three sections: state, local, and federal. Following are some highlights from the report. Overall, the state provides 70 percent of school funding, with most of the money designated for professional salaries. The state average per pupil…