Today, the North Carolina Supreme Court issued a major decision in the long-running Leandro case.
The Court did not rule on whether North Carolina is meeting its constitutional obligation to provide every child with the opportunity for a sound basic education. Multiple courts including the NC Supreme Court had previously found the state was not. Instead, it ruled on procedural grounds—finding that the trial court lacked the authority to order statewide remedies.
As a result, prior rulings—including the 2022 decision and the 2023 order—have been vacated, and this chapter of the case seemingly has been brought to a close.
What the Court decided
The Court found that:
- The case began as district-specific claims
- It later evolved into a statewide challenge that was never formally brought
- Because of that, the trial court did not have jurisdiction to order a statewide remedy
This is a ruling about process—not progress.
What the Court did not decide
Just as important, the Court did not determine:
- Whether the State is currently meeting its constitutional obligation
- Whether students across North Carolina are receiving the opportunity for a sound basic education
The needs in our schools were not resolved by this decision.
What this means now
With the courts stepping back, responsibility now sits squarely with state leaders.
For decades, the Leandro case served as a legal mechanism to push action. With that mechanism removed, the path forward is no longer defined by court orders—but by policy decisions.
This is a pivotal moment for leadership.
Why this matters
Across North Carolina:
- Schools are working to meet increasingly complex student needs
- Communities are navigating growing expectations for student success
- And teachers must be better supported—including through stronger pay and long-term investment in public education
None of that changed today.
The path forward
This moment calls for:
- Clear leadership from state policymakers
- Stronger investment in teachers and the educator workforce
- Sustained focus on meeting the needs of all students
At WakeEd Partnership, our work is grounded in this approach:
- Mobilize — bringing business and community leaders together around shared responsibility for strong public schools
- Support — directly supporting teachers and students where needs are greatest
- Champion — elevating the conversation around what our schools, educators, and students need to succeed
Bottom line
The Leandro decision did not answer whether North Carolina is meeting its obligation to students.
It answered who is responsible for doing so.
The courts have stepped back for now.
What happens next is up to us.
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