Strengthening Our Schools

As a 31-year volunteer in classrooms throughout Eastern North Carolina, Mike knows that there is nothing more important to our nation’s future than making sure all of our children have the knowledge and skills necessary to compete and succeed in a global economy.

Mike supports efforts to reduce class sizes, build and renovate our schools, and to bridge the Digital Divide by providing computers and technology in the classroom. Our children need and deserve quality teachers and administrators, and Mike supports more funding for their recruitment and training.

Mike is also working to expand higher education opportunities through increased funding of Pell Grants and scholarship opportunities.  He has supported legislation to cut interest rates on student loans in half, and he co-sponsored the new GI Bill to give our servicemen and women updated benefits for a college education in return for their unselfish service to our country.  Building on that, Mike has written the bill to allow veterans with educational benefits to choose to attend private or public institutions of higher learning.

Furthermore, Mike has consistently supported education programs like Upward Bound and TRIO helping disadvantaged students be better prepared to achieve their higher education pursuits.  In addition, Mike has been a champion of helping military families and military communities through efforts to secure more funds for Impact Aid schools.