Craven Early College could feel hit from proposed state budget cuts

The Senate's budget proposal includes a 26 million dollar phase-out of supplemental funding to the states early colleges.

The principal at Craven Early College High School says while it may be labeled as extra funding that could be cut to these schools; it's critical funding that pays salaries for certain staff positions, textbooks, and other necessities.

Without the funding, the school system would have to seek money from the Craven County Board of Commissioners to make up for the funding shortfall.

Principal Todd Bradley said, "We pride ourselves on personalization and when you start taking away personnel, key people that have contact with students each and everyday that really affects them and how to navigate not only the high school landscape but also the college landscape."

Early colleges provide their students with access to college courses. Once they graduate from high school, they have also completed an associate's degree.

School staff is urging parents and community members to contact their representatives and tell them the funding is critical to the survival and progress of the schools.