School choice is a hot-button issue in North Carolina and has been for several years.

The issue reared its head once again as lawmakers placed another provision for private school vouchers in the latest two-year budget proposal.

The proposal, which made its way to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk on Thursday, included a provision to create the Personal Education Savings Account, a third voucher program that would offer more support for special needs students.

“The Special Needs ESA would provide up to $9,000 a year to offset the cost of educational expenses for families with exceptional children. Eligible students with the highest need may stack their ESA with the existing Children with Disabilities Grant (up to $8,000),” stated Darrell Allison, president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina.

“Where an exceptional education for exceptional children seemed out of reach for some families, it will now be possible in North Carolina,” Allison continued.

Some Democratic legislators, however, referred to this third program as “using taxpayer money as vouchers ‘on steroids,’” according to an Associated Press report.

In 2014, the state launched two scholarship funds: one provides private school vouchers for low-income families; the other provides vouchers for children with special needs.

State Rep. Michael Speciale, who represents part of Beaufort County, was a sponsor of the original 2013 House Bill 269, which eventually enacted the latter voucher program.

N.C. Sen. Bill Cook, who also represents Beaufort, was also in favor of this legislation years ago, as well as House Bill 944, which enacted the vouchers for low-income families.

“The original opportunity scholarships bill (House Bill 944 during the 2013 session) had bipartisan sponsors, and 16 other states plus the District of Columbia are running similar, successful programs. It’s clear there is broad support for expanding educational opportunities for our children,” Cook said in a statement Thursday.

“The revised base budget amount for the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve is $44.8 million in FY 2017-18. … Data shows economically disadvantaged kids aren’t performing as well as their peers in North Carolina public schools, and we must make sure these kids have every opportunity to thrive,” Cook continued. Cook voted in favor of the state budget this week.

In Beaufort County, there are three private schools, including Pungo Christian Academy, Unity Christian Academy and Terra Ceia Christian School. Other options outside of public schools include the Washington Montessori Public Charter School and homeschooling.

Although some residents hail the voucher programs as a way to encourage school choice, others are concerned about the effects on the public school system — arguing that millions of dollars are being taken away from public schools.

Another issue is how the school choice environment in general affects public schools.

Beaufort County Schools receives a large chunk of state funding based on the number of students. When a student chooses to attend a charter school, however, that per-pupil funding is lost.

In a recent budget meeting, the Beaufort County Board of Education discussed the loss of per-pupil funds. In 2017-2018, the board estimates that $869,161 would be lost to charter school payments, about $60,000 more than the previous school year.

Of the estimated 7,111 students in Beaufort County, approximately 395 are attending charter schools, according to budget worksheets presented at the meeting. Charter school payments increased by as much as $105,368 in 2015-16 and $205,959 in 2016-17.

Charter schools are not a part of the voucher programs enacted by the legislature.

Public school officials have said this loss of funding does not mean charter or other schools should be viewed negatively, but it must be considered in the context of budgeting.

Upon taking the reins at Unity Christian Academy last year, Head Administrator Jessica Crocker spoke of combatting the stigma that alternative schools take away the “good kids.”

“I don’t see it that way,” Crocker said in a previous interview.

Unity Christian has students who utilize the state’s vouchers to attend the school.

Questions remain as to whether Cooper will sign or veto the budget proposal in light of the backlash from his party. He has 10 days to take action.