Increase in gang activity concerns Education Steering Committee

Gangs continue to spread their tentacles throughout the state, members of the NCACC Public Education Steering Committee heard May 12 during their meeting in Raleigh.

Danya Perry, director of program and youth development with Communities in Schools of North Carolina, discussed the increased prevalence of gangs in North Carolina, the relationship between bullying in schools and gang activity, and the importance of early intervention in the home and at the elementary school level through mentoring programs. Members of the committee commented on their own observations regarding the growth of gang activity across the state, particularly in non-urban areas where such activity is not normally thought to occur.

Committee members also heard a presentation from Philip Price, chief finance officer with the Department of Public Instruction, about the budget cuts facing elementary and secondary schools as part of the proposed 2010-11 budget.

Price noted the impossibility of significant budget cuts that do not affect people within the system and the degree to which "across the board" cuts cannot, in fact, be "across the board." He noted that North Carolina ranks 42nd among the states in per pupil funding (state and local funds) and focused on the perception of "local discretionary reduction" or "negative reserves" as budget cuts that do no harm, when actually the effects are significant.

NCACC Intergovernmental Relations Director Rebecca Troutman described to the committee various proposals in the General Assembly to redistribute lottery proceeds from school construction funds to fill gaps in current expense funding. At the conclusion of the discussion, committee members agreed that any redistribution away from the intended purpose of the capital outlay portion of lottery proceeds was likely to be ongoing rather than temporary, and that the redistribution should not be used to obscure a reduction in state funding. The committee also agreed that any such funding change should hold counties harmless and that any redirection of funds should be at the discretion of the board of county commissioners.

The steering committee will next meet on Wednesday, Aug. 25, in Pitt County in conjunction with the Association's Annual Conference.

– Jim Blackburn