So, here is how the story begins…
Halifax County high school English teacher Cassandra Mall had to rely on book donations from friends and family and spend money out of her own pocket to provide $2,000 worth of required reading materials for her students. Budget cuts from the General Assembly meant less money for necessary instructional materials. She also didn’t have enough textbooks for her students; once again, budget cuts from the General Assembly meant there was no money to replace damaged, unusable textbooks.
At over $10,000 per student, Halifax has the 17th highest per pupil expenditure in the state.
In 2007-08 (latest year available), the district spent $4.3 million on supplies/materials and nearly $650,000 on instructional equipment. On a per pupil basis, that was $964 per pupil for supplies/materials and $145 per pupil for instructional equipment.
Either Ms. Mall is fibbing (unlikely), the NC General Assembly is shortchanging the district (possible), or the district is wasting money (likely).
