For Immediate Release — Tuesday, May 25, 2017                                                                      
Contact:    
Lee Conner @ 919-260-6165 | President, GSF
Melissa Matton @ 919-264-6876 | Vice President, GSF

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Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education released a proposed budget that, if adopted by the full legislature, would maintain the current funding for Governor’s School. This announcement comes after a Senate-proposed funding cut for Governor’s School drew statewide criticism from supporters of the nation’s oldest summer enrichment program for gifted students.

“Over the past two weeks, thousands of North Carolinians have spoken out in support of Governor’s School. We applaud the NC House of Representatives and its leadership for listening to those North Carolina voices and for helping to preserve Governor’s School,” said Lee Conner, President of the NC Governor’s School Foundation. “The House’s proposal is an important step in the right direction, but the budget process is not over yet. We’re looking forward to continuing to share information about the importance of Governor’s School to the future of North Carolina with Legislators as they negotiate a final budget.”

The NC House of Representatives is expected to vote on its proposed budget next week. After that, House leaders will convene with Senate leaders to negotiate a final version of the budget. In order for Governor’s School to continue after this summer, Senate leaders, who initially proposed the elimination of Governor’s School, will have to agree to adopt the House’s proposed funding ($800,000).

The NC Governor’s School Foundation responded to the House’s proposal by encouraging the Governor’s School community to show appreciation to their elected leaders through letters to the editor of local newspapers, handwritten thank you notes to Representatives, and Tweeting.

“In a time when so many are disenchanted by politics, it’s important to celebrate elected leaders, like those in the North Carolina House of Representatives, who listen to the voices of their constituents and respond,” said NC Governor’s School Foundation Vice President, Melissa Matton. “As we continue the campaign to save Governor’s School, we want to make sure House members know how much we appreciate their support.”

The North Carolina Governor’s School Foundation was incorporated in 1990 as a non-profit whose purpose is to support and preserve North Carolina's premier summer enrichment program.
Learn more about the Campaign to Save Governor’s School at www.savegovernorsschool.com or on Twitter by using #SaveGovSchool.

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