Charlotte, North Carolina, August 21, 2025
News Summary
In North Carolina, experts are warning against the division of countywide school districts due to potential negative impacts on student performance and increased school segregation. As lawmakers debate this issue, research indicates that splitting districts could exacerbate racial and economic disparities in education. Currently, the state operates 115 public school districts, with proposals to split larger ones raising concerns about equitable resource distribution and student outcomes.
Charlotte, North Carolina – Experts are urging caution against the division of countywide school districts in North Carolina due to concerns about potential negative impacts on student performance and worsening school segregation. As state lawmakers continue to debate this issue, research highlights the complex relationship between district size, school characteristics, and racial and economic equity.
Currently, North Carolina operates 115 public school districts, which include 100 countywide districts and 15 city districts. In around one-third of these counties, the school districts serve as the largest employer. Proposals to split larger districts have been under consideration for several years, including a recent unsuccessful bill intended to investigate potential adverse outcomes for students in the five largest districts, which collectively enroll over 31% of the state’s 1.5 million students.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have raised concerns that evidence regarding the relationship between district size and student outcomes is mixed. They argue that the size of schools itself has a more significant impact on student performance than the size of the district. One of the main arguments for splitting districts has been logistical concerns, such as varying weather conditions across different parts of a county that may affect school operations.
Maintaining countywide school districts helps mitigate school segregation by fostering diverse socioeconomic and racial student populations. Research by institutions like Stanford University and the University of Southern California indicates that most school segregation results from uneven enrollment patterns by race and economic status across districts. Examples of such segregation include significant disparities between districts, such as the predominantly Latino enrollment in the Los Angeles Unified School District compared to the nearby Beverly Hills Unified School District, which is predominantly white.
Former Duke University researcher Charles Clotfelter has expressed that parting large districts such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) could create unfavorable racial and economic disparities. Smaller districts might intensify resource inequalities, leading to a situation where wealthier areas receive more funding and better resources than their less affluent counterparts. Thanks to their larger size, urban districts in North Carolina have recorded smaller increases in segregation when contrasted with smaller metropolitan areas.
Data from the period between 1998 and 2016 shows that larger districts account for the relatively lower levels of segregation present in North Carolina schools. For instance, the Roanoke Rapids City district demonstrated enrollment of over 90% white students, while neighboring districts served predominantly Black populations. Furthermore, a study in 2020 indicated that poor students were often placed in schools with considerably higher poverty rates compared to their non-poor peers within the same district.
Budget issues continue to plague many North Carolina school districts due to factors such as declining enrollment, rising costs, and a reduction in federal funding. For instance, Wake County schools reported the elimination of 286 positions across various administrative roles, although teaching positions remained unaffected. The uncertainty surrounding the state budget has complicated the planning process as schools wait to finalize new funding levels.
Concerns have arisen among public school officials regarding how budget cuts could adversely affect learning conditions in schools. Positions seen as essential for student experiences, such as counselors, have faced cuts. The Trump administration’s budget proposals further jeopardized federal funding for education, with rural districts being the most vulnerable given their dependence on these funds.
The expansion of North Carolina’s state voucher program, which allows families to access private schooling, has raised alarms about the potential increment in school segregation. Schools, like the ALC Mosaic School in Charlotte, have indicated that vouchers assist families with particular needs that traditional public schools might not address effectively. However, research suggests that the demographic diversity of private schools has been diminishing as more students exit the public education system. Furthermore, enrollments show that while private school attendance has risen, segregation trends, especially among white students, remain persistent.
Critics argue that voucher programs divert crucial funding away from public schools, amplifying existing issues instead of resolving educational challenges. Public education advocates emphasize the importance of adequate funding and resources to enhance the performance and equity of public schools.
FAQ Section
What are the current school district types in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a total of 115 public school districts, which include 100 countywide districts and 15 city districts.
Why do experts oppose splitting countywide school districts?
Experts warn that splitting districts may lead to increased racial and economic disparities, eroding the diversity present in current countywide systems.
What does research say about district size and student performance?
Evidence suggests that school size has a more significant impact on student performance than district size.
How have budget cuts affected North Carolina schools?
Budget cuts due to declining enrollment and lack of federal funding are leading to job losses, particularly in non-teaching positions, which may negatively affect student learning conditions.
What is the impact of the voucher program on school segregation?
The state voucher program has raised concerns that it may heighten school segregation as students migrate from public to private schools, which are becoming less demographically diverse.
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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Leads Lawsuit Against Funding Freeze
Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer: Education News
- Wikipedia: Education in North Carolina
- News Observer: Local Education Coverage
- Google Scholar: School District Segregation North Carolina
- WCNC: School Year Start Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Education
- News Observer: Education Updates
- Google News: North Carolina School Funding
Author: HERE Charlotte
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