Onslow Odyssey: No budget means students can’t afford to compete

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By James Strope Principal, Onslow Early College High School EDITOR’S NOTE: Below, an eastern North Carolina principal shares one unique struggle students face after legislators failed to pass a budget on time. JACKSONVILLE (April 29, 2026) – Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving competition that has been around since 1978. The students select… READ MORE

Seismic

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RALEIGH (April 9, 2026) – There’s been an upheaval in leadership of North Carolina’s General Assembly with the defeat of longtime Senate leader Phil Berger in a primary that spanned Rockingham and part of Guilford County.1 It’s difficult to overstate the influence Berger has had during 15 years as Senate President Pro Tem, deciding budget… READ MORE

Pitt nonprofit creates future leaders

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By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works WINTERVILLE (March 11, 2026) – Public school leaders are coming together outside the classroom to improve the lives of Pitt County children and their families. IMPACT Leadership & Educational Center was founded in 2023, for third- through eighth-grade students. (IMPACT stands for Integrity -Merit – Perseverance – Accountability –… READ MORE

Nonprofit steps in as public schools struggle

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By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works WILMINGTON (March 6, 2026) – One eastern North Carolina nonprofit is trying to make a difference in public schools as they deal with underfunding and understaffing. Kendall Englehart is the Communications Manager for Communities in Schools (CIS) Cape Fear. “The mission of CIS is to support kids,” Englehart said…. READ MORE

Leandro: NC’s children deserve a decision

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RALEIGH (February 26, 2026) – More than two years ago, the North Carolina Supreme Court heard arguments in the latest chapter of Leandro v. State, the landmark case affirming that every child in this state has a constitutional right to a sound, basic education. Since then – silence. No ruling. No explanation. No clarity for… READ MORE

Former Iredell teacher urges legislators to invest in kids

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  By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works STATESVILLE (February 26, 2026) – Former Iredell County teacher Jennifer Hodges sounds the alarm on growing classroom challenges across North Carolina. “Legislators need to give schools more money, basically,” Hodges said. “That’s it.”  Hodges was a teacher for 25 years and retired in August 2024. She taught mostly… READ MORE

Former Wake teacher shares what educators need most

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By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works APEX (February 18, 2026) – Former Wake County teacher Kathryn Hall weighs in on how North Carolina can best support teachers as election season ramps up. “When you’re going through school to be a teacher, you learn about all of these methodologies of science behind how students learn and… READ MORE

Bladen superintendent: ‘Do the right thing’ for kids

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By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works ELIZABETHTOWN (February 13, 2025) – Bladen County is one of 78 rural counties in North Carolina suffering the consequences of state underfunding in public schools. Bladen County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jason Atkinson grew up in the county that’s located between Fayetteville and Wilmington and came back in 2021 to… READ MORE

Rockingham superintendent weighs in on underfunding

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By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works EDEN (February 5, 2026) – North Carolina’s public schools are grappling with underfunding and uncertainty because state legislators haven’t passed a budget for the current year. Dr. John Stover is in his fourth year as superintendent of Rockingham County Schools, previously working for the Washington, D.C. public school system…. READ MORE