The North Carolina Board of Education, largely composed of appointees by former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, voted last week to urge lawmakers in the legislature to put a “moratorium” on Opportunity Scholarship spending for the upcoming school year. The board wants the extra funds sent to traditional public schools.

The resolution passed 9-2, with Republican state treasurer Brad Briner and state school board member Olivia Oxendine the two “no” votes. Oxendine was appointed by former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory.

“We are requesting that a moratorium be placed on the expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship Program,” the recommendation reads, “[and] offer no new awards to students beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and redirect funding appropriated for new Opportunity Scholarships for 25-26 and 26-27 fiscal years to addressing the needs in our public schools.”

The board’s recommendations include reallocating funds to address public school priorities such as high-impact tutoring, hurricane-affected school facilities, increased teacher pay, and addressing $12.8 billion in infrastructure needs. They also propose funding for free school meals, special education, technology, and mental health resources.

During the meeting, Oxendine said that the proposal took her off guard.

“I will always be a supporter of public schools,” Oxendine said, “but I will also be an extra supporter of what is in the best interests of students. That is supreme with Olivia Oxendine. Let it be placed on my tombstone: Always about the child, not about the system, not about the school, but the child.”

The Opportunity Scholarship Program is the state’s voucher meant to enable families to choose a private school education for their child. Each scholarship is valued at between $3,458 and $7,686 each year. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year opened last week. 

After the Republican-led General Assembly made the program universally available regardless of family income, the rate of applications and scholarship awards surged. For the current school year, nearly 80,000 students are receiving a scholarship. An additional $625 million is going to the program for the upcoming school year, meaning the number of students could surge even more.

Applications for the Opportunity Scholarship Program are currently open for the 2025-2026 school year.