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North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green wrapped up his listening and learning tour Wednesday, April 9 with a stop at Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City.

Promoted as “Mo Wants to Know,” Green visited eight locations across North Carolina in recent weeks where he heard from staff, students, families and community members.

The session name dates back to his days as superintendent for Guilford County Schools. During a learning and listening tour someone sitting at the table used the term “Mo Wants to Know” and it stuck. Green used it while at Guilford County Schools, then while at Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and now here in North Carolina schools.

The plan is to draw from the wealth of information gathered during each session in addition to private meetings with leaders in the education, business, community, nonprofit and religious sectors to draft a comprehensive strategic plan with relative goals, initiatives and accountability measures.

He proposed four questions displayed on a large TV screen for those attending to give one minute responses:
■ What should we celebrate and continue?
■ What are the challenges and potential solutions?
■ What is your big idea?
■ What actions are you committed to do to enhance NC public schools?

“I do not know it all,” he commented while moving closer to the crowded spectator stands. “This is how to develop a strategic plan.”

Abandoning a podium early on, the soft spoken Green often interacted one-on-one with many of the speakers in the crowd who talked about successful dual language programs, pay raises, internships capitol need grants, music and art programs, and agriculture programs.

“This is the power of education,” Green said as he transitioned to challenges. “To address challenges and potential solutions because just looking at challenges is not enough.”

The disparity in pay was a big topic here, both between new and experienced teachers in the district and competition with educators crossing the Virginia border to make tens of thousands of dollars more in pay.

Other challenges included limited resources, special needs and the need to wear multiple hats in rural offices.

Moving around the Northeastern school gym, Green opened the floor to big ideas for North Carolina schools.

“Remove any barriers in your mind,” he cautioned. “There is no limit to money or time. Early College was once just an idea.”

Among the flood of ideas: tracts for students that fit their goals, more club opportunities, universal pre-school, life skills like being able to balance a checkbook, regional support, class caps, fellowship programs, and year round school.

Skipping responses to his fourth question due to the late hour, Green challenged everyone to engage with other people to join along on the ride.

“We shared many ideas,” said Green to the crowd. “There are no single or simple solutions. As the strategic plan is developed, we’d love to continue our partnership on a feedback form. Together, we will make our vision a reality for North Carolina’s children.”

Following the evening session Green met with reporters and said “It’s been wonderful meeting people across the state to hear about issues and several things they want to celebrate as well as challenges. And the discussion helps find ways to solve some of the challenges.”

He went on to say a number of things will go into the strategic plan that will be announced in June.

“In the meantime we have put together some legislative priorities and budget priorities which include substantially increasing the compensation for our educators and advanced teacher rolls for experienced educators to remain in the classroom.”

Green has also looked at NC House Bill 192, legislation that establishes a new monthly salary schedule for teachers to raise teacher salaries and reinstate education-based salary supplements for teachers and instructional support personnel. The bill introduces several salary supplements and calls for a study on the feasibility of implementing a new funding allotment system for local school administrative units based on average daily student membership instead of guaranteed positions.

When asked about the impact from Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, Green said it is difficult to say because it was not clear just what that meant. If the money and resources would be moved to another agency, or go away all together.

“No matter what you think about President Trump,” Green continued, “he did what he said he was going to do when he was running for office. But I don’t know fully what that means because you’re talking well over a billion dollars annually that support our students. Last week nearly 17 million dollars in federal COVID relief funds were canceled the same day letters were received that a grant extension was awarded.”

An appeal for the return of canceled funds is planned.

Green concluded by saying there are wonderful things going on in our state, and we should be sure to look at the great things.

“Public education has found a way to constantly and consistently serve our students,” he added. “We will find a way.”

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