Dems, education leaders in North Carolina criticize GOP for budget delays, causing staffing issues

North Carolina’s education leaders and Democrats are criticizing Republicans for the state’s school staffing issues as the GOP continues to negotiate on an overdue spending plan.

The absence of a new budget creates major obstacles for hiring and retention of key staff, including bus drivers, teachers and classroom aides, said Chris Heagarty, vice chair of the Wake County Board of Education and a former Democratic state legislator.

North Carolina school districts were already struggling to attract new teachers and keep current ones amid a nationwide teacher shortage, Heagarty said Monday at the state Legislative Building. Now, their inability to promise prospective hires a competitive salary is driving away talent and making the local shortage even worse, he explained.