Popular Spotlight COMMENTARY Francis Koster: Legislature treats state's largest employer as expense, not investment By Francis Koster May 29, 2025 May 29, 2025 Updated Feb 12, 2026 0 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save There is at least one metric of your local school system's impact on your community that you may never have seen.kAm%96 EC25:E:@?2= G:6H :D E92E 2 >@C6 DF446DD7F= 4@>>F?:EJ H:== 6>6C86 H96? E96 =@42= D49@@= DJDE6> D4@C6D H6== :? }@CE9 r2C@=:?2VD 2??F2= DE2E6H:56 C2?<:?8] pE J62CVD 6?5[ 2EE6?E:@? 2=>@DE 2=H2JD EFC?D E@ DE2?52C5:K65 E6DE D4@C6D[ 8C25F2E:@? C2E6D[ 2?5 E96 ?F>36C @7 8C25F2E6D 8@:?8 @? E@ 9:896C 65F42E:@?] x7 E96 D4@C6D 8@ FA[ D@ 5@6D 9@A6]k^AmkAm|2?J A6@A=6 72:= E@ C64@8?:K6 E92E @?6 :? 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C646?E J62CD 2?5 92D 7@F?5 E96 D2>6 E9:?8] %96 `_ 36DE\D4@C:?8 D49@@=D :? }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 92G6 2? 2G6C286 3F:=5:?8 286 @7 `f]c J62CD[ H9:=6 E96 2G6C286 286 @7 E96 3@EE@> `_ D4@C:?8 D49@@=D :D dd]e J62CD]k^Am kAmx7 J@F =:G6 :? 2 =@H\:?4@>6 2C62[ J@FC D49@@= 3F:=5:?8D 2C6 =:<6=J >@C6 E92? d_ J62CD @=5[ 2?5 J@FC =@42= 64@?@>J 5@6D ?@E 92G6 E96 C6D@FC46D E@ 7:?2?46 3F:=5:?8 FA8C256D @C C6A=246>6?ED] p?5 E9@D6 DEF56?ED H9@ ?665 E96 >@DE DFAA@CE 86E E96 =62DE]k^Am kAmp?5 E96 3:886DE 5C:G6C @7 E96 =@42= 64@?@>J[ H9:49 ?665D E96 >@DE DE2E6 =68:D=2E:G6 64@?@>:4 DFAA@CE[ :D 2=D@ 86EE:?8 E96 =62DE]k^Am kAm%96C6 2C6 D:8?D @7 9@A6 E92E @FC }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 A@=:E:4:2?D H:== 255C6DD D@>6 @7 E96D6 :DDF6D E9:D H66<] !=62D6 DFAA@CE E@ E9@D6 H9@ 2C6 H@C<:?8 E@ D@=G6 E9:D >6DD]k^Am Francis Koster Francis Koster is a “retired” pediatric health care administrator. You can see his other writings at www.theoptimisticfuturist.org. 0 Comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Francis Koster: No. 1 in business, but No. 48 in education — is there a connection? Francis Koster points out that public schools are the largest employer in 50 of our 100 counties and more investment is needed. Francis Koster: An unforgettable Christmas Cruise - I saw a man die Over this gift-giving Christmas holiday, I still ask myself what those of us who are warm, dry, and well fed should do for those who are not. Francis Koster: We must understand the difference between climate change and global warming Francis Koster says it is important to understand climate change and global warming and what they mean. Francis Koster: Federal subsidies to polluters make your life worse in ways you can't see Francis Koster outlines how subsidies are fueling pollution that is bad for consumers. 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Fran Koster: We have to make the invisible visible in NC’s school systems Francis Koster, Ed.D. looks at school funding and the impacts of private school vouchers, low state funding and the importance of federal fund… Watch Now: Related Video Indiana TSA agent turns to food bank as paycheck stops during government shutdown - Trump’s Approval Rating Falls To Record Low Amid Iran War - Trump’s Approval Rating Falls To Record Low Amid Iran War Iranian military statement mocks US for 'strategic failure', suggests no negotiations over 15-point plan AP Iranian military statement mocks US for 'strategic failure', suggests no negotiations over 15-point plan Savannah Guthrie Set for 'Today' Show Return 'Within Weeks' Amid Desperate Hunt For Her Missing Mom Savannah Guthrie Set for 'Today' Show Return 'Within Weeks' Amid Desperate Hunt For Her Missing Mom
Francis Koster: No. 1 in business, but No. 48 in education — is there a connection? Francis Koster points out that public schools are the largest employer in 50 of our 100 counties and more investment is needed.
Francis Koster: An unforgettable Christmas Cruise - I saw a man die Over this gift-giving Christmas holiday, I still ask myself what those of us who are warm, dry, and well fed should do for those who are not.
Francis Koster: We must understand the difference between climate change and global warming Francis Koster says it is important to understand climate change and global warming and what they mean.
Francis Koster: Federal subsidies to polluters make your life worse in ways you can't see Francis Koster outlines how subsidies are fueling pollution that is bad for consumers.
Fran Koster: Measles - who are you trying to protect? Fran Koster urges everyone to take precautions for measles including making sure your loved ones are vaccinated.
Fran Koster: We have to make the invisible visible in NC’s school systems Francis Koster, Ed.D. looks at school funding and the impacts of private school vouchers, low state funding and the importance of federal fund…
Iranian military statement mocks US for 'strategic failure', suggests no negotiations over 15-point plan
AP Iranian military statement mocks US for 'strategic failure', suggests no negotiations over 15-point plan
