NC Senate Approves Bill to Eliminate Opportunity Scholarship Waitlist

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The North Carolina Senate has taken a significant step toward expanding school choice by passing House Bill 10, a measure designed to eliminate the waitlists for the state's Opportunity Scholarship Program and the Education Savings Account (ESA+) program. The bill passed on Monday with a 27-17 vote, strictly along party lines.

The legislation allocates $248 million in nonrecurring funds to the Opportunity Scholarship Program for the current school year, ensuring that around 55,000 students who have been on the waitlist will now receive state-funded vouchers for private school education. An additional $215.15 million in recurring funds has been set aside for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The ESA+ program, which supports students with special needs, will receive $24.7 million in recurring funds, clearing its waitlist of over 2,000 students.

Senate Education Committee Chairman Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) emphasized the importance of fulfilling the state's commitment to families who have been waiting for these scholarships. "North Carolina families who applied and qualified for the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ programs deserve to receive those scholarships. It’s time we fulfill our commitment to these families," Lee stated. He further noted that the expansion of school choice would provide high-quality educational options for families across the state, including those choosing private, traditional public, charter, and home schools.

The bill also includes provisions for retroactive funding, allowing eligible families to qualify for tuition reimbursement from their schools. Opportunity Scholarships are valued between $3,360 and $7,468 annually, depending on family income. The program experienced an unprecedented demand this year, with 72,000 applications submitted, a record number that highlighted the program's popularity.

However, the rapid increase in demand had led to a significant funding gap, causing delays and frustration among parents and advocacy groups. This gap was primarily due to a budget impasse that prevented lawmakers from allocating the necessary funds earlier in the year. Caroline Cox, a parent advocating for the bill, expressed the urgency at a recent rally, saying, "We have one last shot to do what we promised—to complete the list."

Opponents of the bill were quick to criticize the measure. House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham) voiced his opposition on social media, stating, "Today, the General Assembly reconvened to expand their taxpayer-funded voucher scheme. Instead, we should invest in our public schools and improve upon them." Governor Roy Cooper also condemned the expansion, arguing that it diverts taxpayer money away from public schools, which he believes should be the priority given the existing needs in the public education system.

In addition to the scholarship funding, House Bill 10 includes $64 million in recurring funds for community college enrollment growth and $95 million for K-12 enrollment growth in traditional public schools. The bill now heads to the state House for a vote, which is expected to pass. If approved, both chambers will need to maintain a three-fifths supermajority to override an anticipated veto from Governor Cooper.

This development marks a critical moment in North Carolina's ongoing debate over school choice, with strong opinions on both sides regarding the best use of public funds in education.