“This is a fight worth having,” she said Jan. 19. “Let me be very direct with you. I will never back down from anything that has to do with our children.”

But now she’s citing that same passion as a reason for not seeking re-election, saying the fight may be too political with her Republican opponents.

The decision has local advocates paying attention

“Our belief is regardless of who the governor is, that they must make education a top priority,” Bill Anderson said.

Anderson is the executive director at Meck-Ed, a non-partisan education group in Charlotte.

He said it is in everyone’s best interest for students to succeed.

State graduation rates since Perdue took office in 2008 show a steady increase from 71.8 percent in the first year to 77.7 percent last year.

But Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools get more than half of their money from the state. Since 2009, the district’s budget has been reduced by nearly $200 million, costing CMS more than 2,000 jobs.

The economy took its toll, but Perdue blamed some cuts on Republicans, as did Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton.

“It’s hard to make progress when you’re faced in the wrong direction,” he said

Dalton has already announced his plans to run for governor now that Perdue is leaving the post.

Anderson said his group and parents will be watching the race closely.

“We can’t worry about what’s happened in the past,” Anderson said. “We have to worry about today, and tomorrow and the election that’s upcoming.”