North Carolina high schools suspend driver’s education

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — At least one-third of North Carolina’s school systems are suspending their driver’s education programs this summer until they learn whether they’ll receive any state money to help pay for the classes.

The News & Observer reports that a temporary state budget approved by the General Assembly on Tuesday does not include any money for school districts to provide driver’s education.

Reggie Flythe, a consultant for the state Department of Public Instruction, says at least 43 out of North Carolina’s 115 school districts are suspending their driver’s education programs. Thirty districts have not yet responded to the survey.

The proposed House budget would continue state funding for the classes taken by 120,000 high school students annually. The proposed Senate budget eliminates all funding and moves the classes to community colleges.