Schools initiave Powerpoint

Our Children's RightOur Church’s Responsibility

Western North Carolina Conference Public Education Task Force

The United Methodist Church 2012 Book of Resolutions

The United Methodist Church 2012 Book of Resolutions includes Resolution #5051 – Public Education and the Church. This resolution’s origin was included in the 2000 Book of Resolutions. It was amended and readopted in 2004 and readopted in 2008. Sections of that resolution are stated below.


. . . the church is called to remember, first and foremost, the well-being of all God’s children. Education is a right of all children and is affirmed by Scripture which calls us to ‘train children in the way they should go’ (Proverbs 22:6)


The public school is the primary route for most children into full participation in our economic, political, and community life. As a consequence of inequities in our society, we have a moral responsibility to support, strengthen, and reform public schools. They have been, and continue to be, both an avenue of opportunity and a major cohesive force in our society, a society becoming daily more diverse racially, culturally, and religiously.

Our Children’s RightOur Church’s Responsibility


A new phenomenon in our society is “re-segregating of communities” which further diminishes the effectiveness of public schools. Most tellingly, the schools that offer the least to their students are those serving poor children, among which children of color figure disproportionately, as they do in all the shortfalls of our common life.


We do affirm our conviction that public funds should be used for public purposes.

Challenges and Trends . . .

Understand Critical Needs in Funding Education for All Children

Addressing Teacher Shortage

Helping Children in Poverty

Providing Quality Education for All Children


The issue of the public funding of education in North Carolina has taken the national spotlight in recent years. Multiple cuts in the state budget have taken a toll on school systems and teachers across the state. There has been a loss of teachers as they turn to other states for employment.


“North Carolina has had a teacher turnover problem severe enough that the legislature last year passed a law to raise the salaries of some teachers to try to entice more to stay. But according to new state data, that rate rose in 2014-2015, and more teachers are leaving the state to teach elsewhere this academic year than last year.” (The Washington Post, October 21, 2015, “North Carolina teacher exodus rises – despite efforts to halt attrition”)


The disparities of average teacher salaries in North Carolina compared to the national average have increased over time. (Source: “Highlights of the North Carolina School Budget – February 2016” produced by Information Analysis Division of School Business, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; available at ncpublischools.org) In 2001-2002 average North Carolina teacher salaries were

$42,680, which was 95.57% of the national average of $44,655.

By 2014-2015 average North Carolina teacher salaries were $47,792, which was 83.29% of the national average of $57,379.


Decrease in college students choosing teaching: 27% enrollment decline in NC public university

system teaching programs 2010-2014

. . . and loss of Teaching Fellows program across North Carolina



Poverty’s impact in rural areas is even greater, due to lower local tax revenue53 percent of public school students come from low-income homesOverall, schools with higher poverty had the lowest school achievement grades

Poverty has been increasing in both rural and suburban areas


Participation in high-quality pre-K significantly improves a child’s chance of success in school; currently 40,000 children are on a waiting list for pre-K

A quality public education can make a significant, positive impact on children living in poverty

A Quality Public Education, including Pre-K, Can Help Students Escape the Cycle of Poverty


Physical factors including substandard housing and inadequate nutrition directly affect a child’s performance in school


Children who attend preschool gain confidence by learning the expectations and routines of school through close communication with other children.

Pre-K is a place where children learn to socialize, make decisions, interact with others, and negotiate—all of which are important to child development.

123 studies across four decades of early education research found that by third grade, one-third of the racial achievement gap can be closed by early education.

Our Call to Action as United Methodists

What are we as North Carolina United Methodists in our Churches, Districts, and Conferences Called to Do?

Support C4C Grass Roots Efforts (Congregations for Children)

Speak for Children Who have No Voice Educate and Advocate for Quality public schools

by-----


Honoring teachers for the crucial work they do with young people; and advocating for appropriate salaries commensurate with their vital role in society;


Encouraging young people of our congregations to enter the teaching profession


Insisting that all curricula present the best textbooks and teaching at all levels, acknowledging that we encourage children to read, to imagine, and to understand the many wonders of God’s creation


Advocating for the inclusion of differently-abled students in our classrooms, and ensuring that teachers have the special training needed to meet these children’s needs


Advocating at the state and local level for adequate public school funding and equitable distribution of state funds; and supporting efforts to end unjust educational disparities between rich and poor communities


Learning about public school issues, offering candidate forums during school board elections, and educating church members about local funding ballot issues and about the historical role of churches in creating and supporting public schools


Advocating for strengthened teacher training, for enhanced professional development for teachers and administrators, and for policies that assign teachers only to disciplines in which they are fully prepared, to classes whose size encourages individualized assistance, and to schedules that give teachers time to prepare or consult with other teachers, students, and parents;


Advocating for universal, early, and quality preschool education for all children


Advocating that public education as a basic human right; and not relying on school fund-raising and state alternative revenues, such as gambling, for financial support.


Coordinate with the North Carolina Conference, in these ‘Calls to Action’ and to establish an ongoing joint task force in developing ways that these values on public education can be promoted and communicated through our churches, districts, and Conferences to the leaders of North Carolina's government..

Our Call to Action as United Methodists What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8(NIV)

WNCC Task Force Members

Rev. Jay Bissett, Elder in the WNCC serving Sardis and Reeves Chapel in Asheville. Wade Hampton, member of Main Street UMC in Kernersville. Retired Teacher and Principal from Guilford County Schools.

Bruce Woody, member of Red Hill UMC in Mitchell County. Retired Principal from Mitchell High School. Bruce's wife Sally was also a career educator.

Rev. Amelia Stinson-Wesley, Elder in the WNCC, serving Purcell UMC in Pineville Rev. David Reeves Elder in the WNCC, Cullowhee UMC

Maggie Charleton Retired Elementary and Special Ed teacher Member Central UMC Asheville

Rev. Matt Smith, Elder in the WNCC serving Guilford College UMC, Chair of Conference Justice and Reconciliation Team

Rev. Philip Joseph Tate Local Pastor in the WNCC serving East Marion UMC

Schools initiave Powerpoint

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