June Atkinson says the state shouldn't force school systems to merge.
The state schools superintendent objected today to a Senate budget provision — and a related bill — that would limit state spending to one school system per county.
That would affect a handful of school systems in the state, including Orange County and Chapel Hill schools.
"I do not agree with that," Atkinson told Dome. "I understand that these are difficult economic times, but I think that decision has to be made at the local level."
The bill is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand.
Related: Sen. Martin Nesbitt, a Buncombe County Democrat, also objects to the proposal.
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Re: Atkinson: Don't force school mergers
It can be made at the local level. The bill does not say that they cannot exist. The bill says that the STATE will only pay for one LEA in each county. Seems fair to me.