SWAIN COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina State Superintendent Catherine Truitt visited mountain schools Friday, listening and learning about education needs unique to the western counties.
In Swain County, local leaders told Truitt there are many needs, including pre-K.
She was welcomed at Bright Adventures Pre-K in Bryson City.
“I’ve seen a lot of incredible things today,” Truitt said.
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Swain County Superintendent Dr. Mark Sale said Bright Adventures is housed in 20- year-old temporary buildings that can only serve 60-75% of the 4-year-old population.
“If I had four more classrooms, we could have a universal pre-K program in Swain County,” Sale said.
Truitt said at the state level is there is a push to fund more slots for pre-K.
“In an ideal world, we would have universal pre-K where anyone who wanted to go to pre-K would be able to,” she said.
Truitt said she's in a position to make a difference.
“I like to think that I have a little bit of influence on the General Assembly, we'll see if that’s the case or not,” Truitt said.
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Mountain lawmakers said it’s encouraging to see Truitt in places like Swain High School and visiting schools also in Jackson and Macon counties.
“Her voice goes a long way as far as funding for our rural schools,” State Sen. Kevin Corbin said.
“We need funding for equipment. We need funding for school supplies, and we need some infrastructure upgrades to some of the buildings we currently have,” State Rep. Mike Clampitts said.
Corbin said the state's formula for paying teachers needs to be addressed.
“If you have, say, 23 kids in the first grade, you have to have two teachers. The state only funds one. So, guess what? The local school system has to fund that,” Corbin said.
Truitt said North Carolina is close to becoming No. 1 in the Southeast for teacher pay but sees room for improvement.
“What's more important is providing a pay structure for teachers that gives them a chance to advance in the profession,” she said.
More improvement, she said, will come with getting broadband in western homes.
“It is a necessity,” Truitt said.
For local school leaders and lawmakers, Truitt's visit is a necessity, as well, for relationship building and to hear their concerns.
Both lawmakers said now is a good time in the General Assembly to get things done for the western counties.
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