FILE - N.C. Association of Educators Vice President Bryan Proffitt speaks during a news conference held by Every Child NC in Raleigh, N.C., Aug. 31, 2022. The press conference was held to urge the N.C. Supreme Court to order the state to fund the Leandro plan. The North Carolina Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in an education funding case barely a year after a majority of justices — all Democrats — ruled on whether a trial judge could move taxpayer money to address schooling inequities statewide without the express approval of legislators. The court now has a Republican majority that decided to take up again a portion of the case known as “Leandro.” (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP, File)
Sara Juhl from Weddington, from left, Jen Sanders from Waxhaw and Meg Bell from Monroe cheer on speakers during a rally for education funding on the grounds of the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. The rally happened as the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the long-running Leandro school funding case. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)