North Carolina Supreme Court dismisses decades-old education funding case, restores legislature control

The North Carolina Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a long-running legal battle over public school funding, a decision that leaves spending authority with the state legislature rather than the courts.

In a 4-3 ruling led by Republican justices, the court set aside its 2022 decision that had allowed a trial judge to direct taxpayer funds toward addressing education gaps across the state.

Chief Justice Paul Newby wrote that the case had expanded beyond its original scope. What began as a dispute over funding in a single county, he said, became a broader challenge to the state’s entire education system enacted by the General Assembly. He added that once the case expanded, the trial court’s authority no longer applied.

Funding plan no longer binding

The decision effectively ends court oversight tied to a multi-year remedial plan. A trial court had previously determined that the state needed $678 million to meet obligations for two years of an eight-year education improvement plan. The plan aimed to raise teacher pay, expand prekindergarten access, and support students with disabilities.

According to the Associated Press, the ruling means lawmakers are no longer required to follow that plan while drafting the state budget. The General Assembly, controlled by Republicans, is currently working on a delayed spending proposal.

Political reactions divided

Democratic Governor Josh Stein said the court ignored precedent. “The Supreme Court simply ignored its own established precedent, enabling the General Assembly to continue to deprive another generation of North Carolina students of the education promised by our constitution,” Stein said in a statement, AP reports.

Associate Justice Anita Earls, one of the dissenting judges, said the ruling weakens enforcement of constitutional rights. Writing in dissent, she said allowing the state to avoid judicial review could reduce constitutional guarantees to “words on paper,” according to AP.

Republican Senate leader Phil Berger supported the ruling. In a statement, Berger said policy decisions should remain with elected lawmakers and not be imposed through court action.

Background of the Leandro case

The case, known as Leandro, began in 1994 when families and school districts in low-income areas sued the state. They argued that North Carolina was failing to provide adequate education as required by its constitution.

Earlier rulings in 1997 and 2004 found that the state must provide every child the opportunity for a “sound basic education.” Courts also noted ongoing gaps in meeting that standard.

In 2022, the court’s Democratic majority ruled that long-term inaction by state officials created an exceptional situation, allowing a judge to order funding without legislative approval.

With Thursday’s decision, attention now shifts back to lawmakers as they prepare the next education budget. Nearly 40 percent of the state’s annual spending is allocated to kindergarten through twelfth grade education.

Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!