Raleigh, N.C. – The state House of Representatives passed a $1.9 billion school construction bond proposal on Thursday by a vote of 99-6, granting the chamber’s final approval to the education capital investment plan that could be considered by voters next March.
House Bill 241 Education Bond Act of 2019 is designed to help counties with the greatest need by weighting the low-wealth status of school systems in its allocation formula, not requiring local matching money for low-wealth funds, and guaranteeing a minimum of $10 million for every county.
H.B. 241 was approved by state House committees on K-12 education, finance, and capital appropriations, as well as the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.
The bill would provide $1.5 billion in capital funding to K-12 schools and $200 million each to the University of North Carolina system and the North Carolina Community College System. It passed the full North Carolina House of Representatives by a wide margin on consecutive days of recorded votes.
The school construction proposal is sponsored by public school teacher Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes), Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), House Education K-12 Committee co-chair Rep. Craig Horn (R-Union), and Senior House Appropriations Committee co-chair Linda Johnson (R-Cabarrus).
It is co-sponsored by more than 50 members of the state House of Representatives.
Rep. Linda Johnson (R-Cabarrus) thanked her colleagues for their overwhelming support of the legislation, which would propose the state’s first K-12 school construction bond in two decades to voters in March 2020.
“Thank you for your support,” Johnson said. “Our schools appreciate it and our children appreciate it.”
Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said education is the most valuable asset for families and businesses in North Carolina.
“Our state’s explosive economic growth continues to bring opportunities and challenges that we will meet together with more bold investments for our children’s future.”
Background
December 13, 2018: Speaker Moore to File and Support Second Public Education Bond for North Carolina
January 14, 2019: School Bond Forum to Feature Speaker and State Superintendent With Local Leaders
January 15, 2019: House Education Leaders Attending School Bond Forum With Speaker, Superintendent
January 17, 2019: Harnett House Delegation Brings 25 Years of Local Government Service to School Bond Forum
January 25, 2019: Deputy Majority Leader and Speaker Visit South Columbus High School on Education Bond Tour
February 14, 2019: Teacher Serving in N.C. House Headlines Education Bond Forum in Wilkes County
February 18, 2019: Wilkes County and N.C. House Leaders Host School Bond Forum
February 28, 2019: Education Bond Act of 2019 Filed by Speaker Moore and N.C. House Leaders
March 5, 2019: House Education Committee Unanimously Approves $1.9 Billion School Construction Bond
March 13, 2019: Education Bond Passes First Vote in North Carolina House of Representatives
March 14, 2019: N.C. House Approves $1.9 Billion Education Bond