Public Schools First NC hails pro-public education election wins

Public Schools First NC says North Carolina’s 2026 election results give public school supporters new openings at the state and federal levels. The group points to possible changes on vouchers, education funding, and school governance as lawmakers prepare for the 2027 session.

Why it matters: - Public Schools First NC says the election gives North Carolina a chance to strengthen public school funding, support educators and expand services for students. - The group argues the results could shape policy on vouchers, federal education programs, mental health supports, school safety and healthcare in schools. - North Carolina still ranks 50th in the Education Law Center’s public school funding effort report, making school finance a major issue heading into 2027.

What happened: - Public Schools First NC celebrated wins by pro-public education candidates across North Carolina in the 2026 election. - Those candidates won races for the U.S. Congress, the North Carolina General Assembly, county commissions and local boards of education. - Roy Cooper won election as North Carolina’s new state senator, and the group described him as a long-time public education advocate. - New House members who support public schools also won seats in Congress.

The details: - The election results create a potential path for lawmakers to repeal the federal voucher law. - Last year, lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate introduced the Keep Public Dollars in Public Schools Act, which would repeal the federal scholarship tax credit program. - Public Schools First NC says new lawmakers could move to end the voucher program in the 2027 session. - The group also says lawmakers could work to restore the U.S. Department of Education and federally funded programs such as Title I, IDEA and civil rights enforcement. - North Carolina lawmakers are set to pass a two-year education budget during the 2027 long session. - Public Schools First NC wants that budget to prioritize public education, high-quality educators, mental health supports, school safety and healthcare. - The group says lawmakers could also redirect private school voucher spending to public schools. - Final vote counts are still underway.

Between the lines: - The statement frames the election as a chance to reverse policies that the group sees as weakening public schools. - Gains on county commissions and school boards could matter because those bodies influence local education funding and priorities. - The organization links the election to North Carolina’s constitutional obligation to provide free public education. - The group also cast the results as progress toward NCDPI’s goal of making North Carolina’s public school system the best in the nation by 2030.

What's next: - Lawmakers will head into the 2027 session with the ability to revise education spending and voucher policy. - Public Schools First NC says more election results could still shift the balance on education policy as final counts are completed. - The group will push for lawmakers to repeal laws it says conflict with public education priorities. - The next major test will be the 2027 long-session budget fight and any debate over federal and state voucher programs.