The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education is expressing concerns over a recent budget passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, arguing it could threaten essential programs like special education and free or reduced lunches for students.
The board has raised alarms about potential cuts, particularly those linked to Medicaid-supported special education services and school lunch programs.
In response, U.S. Congressman Tim Moore has dismissed these concerns, insisting that the budget plan does not include cuts to these programs. He emphasized that the word “Medicaid” does not appear in the bill and stated that the claims about potential cuts are unfounded.
Moore argued that the board’s concerns are based on future possibilities rather than the current language of the bill.
While Moore reassured that the budget will not harm essential funding for programs in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), CMS board member Summer Nunn expressed caution, noting that deeper analysis of the bill has raised concerns about the impact on Medicaid-backed services and the school nutrition program.
The House proposal is still in its early stages, as lawmakers need to finalize the details with the Senate before sending it to the President.
The CMS board continues to monitor developments and assess the potential implications for local school programs.