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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's budget process at the legislature can make it difficult for the public to determine winners and losers for public school funding.
Expanded flexibility given last year by the General Assembly to local districts to spend education dollars means statewide spending increases for teachers, teacher assistants or instructional supplies can feel like decreases at home.
McCrory signed this year's budget bill into law last week. McCrory and Republican lawmakers say they saved assistant positions in the budget, even when money earmarked to hire them decreased.
Overall public school spending in the budget increased by $237 million, but districts are lamenting cuts and layoffs. Democrats say that shows Republicans have fallen short with their budget promises.
State school Superintendent June Atkinson calls education budgeting a complex endeavor.
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