Democrat Mo Green, candidate for NC superintendent, answers our questions
%20-%20Lucy%20Russell%20Pittman_fitted.jpeg "Mo Green, Democratic candidate for state superintendent of public instruction")
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Candidates for NC Superintendent of Public Instruction
Democrat Maurice “Mo” Green faces Republican Michele Morrow, who defeated the incumbent, Catherine Truitt, in a GOP primary election. Get to know the candidates with our 2024 NC Voter Guide.
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To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Maurice (Mo) Green
Seat: State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 57
Campaign website: https://www.mogreenfornc.com/
Current occupation: Retired (former Executive Director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Superintendent of Guilford County Schools and General Counsel/Deputy Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools)
Professional experience: I served as Superintendent of Guilford County Schools, NC’s third largest district with over 70,000 students, for 7.5 years. While I was Superintendent, GCS garnered state and national recognition for improved academic performance, increased graduation rates, and character development. Before GCS, I served as Deputy Superintendent/Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, one of NC’s two largest districts with over 130,000 students, for 7.5 years.
Education: I have a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics and a law degree, both from Duke University.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. In addition to serving in school district leadership roles for 15 years, I served as the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports many causes in North Carolina, including public education, for seven years. I also served on numerous boards dealing with a host of educational issues including homelessness, athletics, policy, media, arts and community support.
What would be your top priority if elected?
Our public school educators are the backbone of public education. They play a pivotal role in our children’s lives; but they are currently undervalued, underpaid, and underappreciated in North Carolina. A top priority if elected would be to advocate for increased salaries for public school educators and to help North Carolina be a state that reveres teachers. At a minimum, teachers must receive pay raises in their base compensation to at least the national average.
What percentage raises should your state agency’s employees receive in the next state budget?
In April 2024, Gov. Roy Cooper proposed an average 8.5% raise for all teachers. I support this initial raise during the next state budget and more. We must raise our salaries to be competitive. Most importantly, our educators deserve more pay. Teaching is a noble profession, but North Carolina has woefully underpaid and consistently disrespected educators. Educators — including those in the Department of Public Instruction — play a pivotal role in our children’s lives, and we must pay them more.
Will you attend all Council of State meetings?
Yes, unless there are any extenuating circumstances.
How will you work with the other nine members of the council, including the governor?
I would strive to work collaboratively with the other Council of State members on a variety of issues, including those dealing with North Carolina’s public school system. My manner of working with others starts with listening to multiple people related to an issue, learning about the issue, developing a plan of action, and then executing on that plan.
What specific strategies would you promote to improve academic achievement for North Carolina students?
The successful combination of high academic achievement, strong character development and striving for excellence is my vision for North Carolina public schools. Strategies to achieve this vision include expanding the focus on early literacy skills from elementary through middle school, differentiating resources to individualize instruction for students, and advocating for full funding for our public schools. See www.mogreenfornc.com/pillars for more details.
Do you think the legislature should fund about $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
The North Carolina public school system is woefully underfunded and should receive substantial increases in funding. North Carolina currently ranks 48th in public education funding. We need to invest in our public schools — including public charter schools — not taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for the wealthy. I believe that the Opportunity Scholarship program diverts significant and critically needed funds from all public schools.
How should North Carolina public schools respond to the Biden Administration’s new Title IX rules involving transgender students?
North Carolina’s public schools should respond to the new Title IX rules involving transgender students by striving to allow them to participate in school activities in a safe and welcoming environment. In addition, we have to be focused on the very real education challenges such as getting a high-quality teacher in every classroom, an excellent principal in every school, and addressing the shortage of mental health professionals who support the well-being of our students, not some people’s cultural wars.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
There are some in my party who do not believe the North Carolina public school system should include public charter schools. I believe that charter schools can provide opportunities for innovation. With that understanding and with appropriate limits put on the number of charter schools, I am supportive of them. Indeed, while superintendent of Guilford County Schools, I considered the innovative practices in a system of charter schools (and a private school) when we created a middle school preparatory academy.
