First in Flight, But Lagging in a State Budget: Mo Green and Mark Dessauer Talk Public Education in North Carolina

Mo Green, the Superintendent of North Carolina Public Schools, sits next to student board representatives Athena Elliot and Roz Rabinowitz as well as Adam Hege and Alison Idol, School Board members. This photo was taken during his visit to Watauga High School on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, a part of the statewide tour members of the NC Department of Public Instruction went on to visit various school districts and learn about their achievements and areas for improvement. “If you invite legislators to come and spend the entire day in the school, and see what it is, you're getting them to be local champions, and the more that they feel like they're a champion in something, the more they're going to fight for you,” said Mark Dessauer, Chief Communications Officer for DPI’s Office of The State Superintendent. 

Anna Norris and Rebecca Billette, Editors-in-Chief of The Powderhorn

North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green visited Watauga County Schools on October 22, 2025, determined to investigate pressing challenges in North Carolina public education. Green and other members of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) visited Watauga High, where WCS employees provided them with a presentation regarding their educational district’s achievements (“Glows”) and opportunities for growth (“Grows”). WCS Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander highlighted the correlation between WCS and Green’s “8 Pillars of Excellence,” his goals for the future of North Carolina’s public education. However, North Carolina’s public schools are at a crossroads as state budget delays threaten funding for classrooms, teachers, and students.

“There's a shutdown,” said Mark Dessauer, Chief Communications Officer for DPI’s Office of the State Superintendent. “We get 11% of our school funds from the federal government. We get about 20 to 25% from your local county commissioners. But we get around 60% from our state. We're one of the states that has the most coming in. That's a large part. It's like 58% of the entire state budget that goes to schools.” 

Unlike a federal government shutdown, an impasse at the state level does not result in a halt to all government proceedings. Rather, the NC General Assembly reverts to its budget from the previous fiscal year, which can lead to a lack of upgraded fund allocation that accommodates new statewide goals and initiatives. This particular disagreement was caused by a stalemate between the NC House and Senate over tax cuts and teacher compensation.

“Not having a new budget means that we're operating, essentially, off of a budget that was in place for the last couple of years,” said Green. “With some limited exceptions, that means that we're not able to do the things that we think we need to do.
For example, providing a substantial increase in compensation for our educators.” 

According to World Population Review, North Carolina ranks 45th in the nation for per-pupil spending, with a figure of $12,352 per student. By this and other metrics, North Carolina spends a proportionally smaller amount of money on education than other states. State funding directly translates into local opportunities, providing resources like technology, staff, school libraries and cafeterias.

“We are funded on a per-pupil basis,” Dessauer said. “[The United States] average of what states pay per pupil is $15,000. That's the national average. We're at $12,000. We're less than South Carolina and Virginia. So, actually, we're doing kind of well. We're in the mid-range in the country on our National Average scores. We're number two in the country for CTE. We have the most board certified teachers. Can you imagine how good we could be if we funded ourselves at the national average?”

As of 2021, Watauga County Schools was one of just 79 districts nationwide to receive the Accomplished District designation by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. This prestigious award is presented when 20 % or more of a county’s teachers have achieved National Board Certification. According to the National Board, in 2024, North Carolina had the highest number of teachers with active certifications---13,178---compared to Washington in second with 8,644, and California ranked #3 with 4,303. Such an exemplary display of teachers’ commitment to their students showcases North Carolina’s ability to achieve despite a relatively lower level of funding.

“I would certainly put funding for public schools as a major issue impacting the kind of education we can deliver for our students,” Green said, when discussing what he believes to be the most pressing problems public schools face. “Then I’d also lift expectations. So many of our community members may not have the highest expectations of what can be delivered in public education, and you have to be sure that we prove them wrong by providing wonderful opportunities to our students.”

Many North Carolina residents may not fully understand how public education operates or how state decisions shape local classrooms. Without that knowledge, it can be difficult to recognize the challenges educators face or the impact that funding and policy decisions have on students’ everyday experiences. 

“Schools have to serve as food pantries and provide lunches and all of that,” said Dessauer. “It is a hard thing how many roles schools play in rural areas. They are the Friday Night Lights. They are the center of culture. They are where you can get a meal. They are where you can feel safe and heard.”

With schools serving as hubs of resources and community, especially in rural areas such as Watauga County, the people most affected by a lack of funding are the students themselves. State officials urge students to become involved and advocate for themselves to help improve North Carolina’s education programs.

“Learn how the school system works,” Dessauer said. “If you would like to have a group that would be an official advisor to us, we would love to have that as a student voice, because we're trying to change the narrative, and your voice is key.” 

With a dedicated team in office, and outspoken students championing their needs, members of NCDPI and North Carolina residents alike are hopeful that their state can surpass expectations regarding the opportunities and resources a public education can provide. 

“We're first in flight,” said Dessauer. “We can be first in education.”