GOP lawmakers on public education

Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly have long complained that their Democratic counterparts throw money at public education programs without fixing problems in the current system.

Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockinham, made that point again during a news conference today as he shared a letter he received recently from the State Board of Education.

• Berger says the letter shows the education bureaucracy has decided not to address problems with school testing, the N.C. school curriculum, and the demand for more charter schools.

Republicans in the House and Senate have filed bills to lift or eliminate the state’s cap of 100 charter schools.

• Rep. Jim Gulley, R-Mecklenburg, wants to raise the cap to 125 schools.
• Rep. Mark Hilton, R-Catawba, wants to get rid of the cap.
• House Minority Leader Paul Stam, R-Wake, says parents want more charter schools — regardless of the obstacles those schools face.