RALEIGH (April 27, 2022) – The North Carolina Justice Center commends Republican Judge Michael L. Robinson for his recent order confirming that the State of North Carolina still owes our children substantial additional resources to provide them with the opportunity to receive a solid basic education. Its order establishes that the state owes $785 million to fund the comprehensive recovery plan developed in the Leandro Case. We continue to applaud Justice Lee’s initial order requiring the transfer of funds to effect the funding requirement where the Legislature steadfastly refused to fully comply, but understand that Justice Robinson was not authorized to maintain this provision given the contrary decision of the Court of Appeal. , and that matter is now before the North Carolina Supreme Court.

North Carolina’s children, especially those living in poverty, multilingual learners, students of color, and students with disabilities, have waited too long for their constitutional rights to be enforced. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

We look forward to the case going to the Supreme Court and hope for a speedy resolution that will finally uphold the rights of children and families to meaningful educational opportunities guaranteed by the North Carolina Constitution.

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