This relief package, the first of several to come, addresses a breadth of financial and policy needs related to Hurricane Helene and Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 (PTC8), which severely impacted Brunswick and New Hanover Counties on September 16 of this year. It also extends the statewide declaration of emergency issued by the Governor until March 1, 2025.

Part 8 of the bill lays out the majority of education-related provisions, including school calendar flexibility and compensation for employees for missed days, as well as temporarily allowing retired employees to return to work in certain capacities.

The chambers also passed an amended version of a previously passed joint resolution, SJR 919, to allow them to return to Raleigh on October 24. Legislators are expected to address additional needs in Western NC and will also have the opportunity to take up HB 10 again, the vetoed bill establishing universal Opportunity Scholarships (private school vouchers) and funding for growing districts.

Following the General Election, the General Assembly’s next chance to convene is November 19, per the joint resolution originally passed at the end of the short session, SJR 916.

Bills Passed into Law:

S.L. 2024-51 / HB 149: Disaster Recovery Act of 2024, Conference Report

• $16 Million to DPI to supplement or replace lost compensation of school nutrition employees due to school closures resulting from Hurricane Helene.
• Section 8.1(a): School calendar flexibility: Schools closed as a result of Hurricane Helene or PTC8 are granted calendar flexibility for missed instructional time during September and October 2024. Public School Units (PSUs) may choose to make up any number of the instructional days or hours missed, deem as completed any number of the instructional days or hours missed up to a total of 20 days, or implement a combination of both.
• Section 8.1(b): Additional remote instruction: PSUs impacted by Hurricane Helene may use additional remote instruction days or hours towards the required instructional hours for the school year, up to a total of 30 remote instruction days. For those impacted by PTC8, 10 remote instruction days will be allowed.
• Section 8.1(c): School employees and contractors impacted by Helene will receive compensation for missed workdays that have been deemed completed in September and October.
• Sectio 8.1(d): Reporting requirements: Requires PSUs impacted by Hurricane Helene or PTC8 to report on missed days, days deemed completed, makeup days, and compensation outlined in Section 8.1(c) by February 15, 2025.
• Section 8.2: Extends the deadline for bonuses for principals employed in impacted PSUs through November 30, 2024.
• Section 8.3: Allows disaster-impacted students enrolled in an educator preparation program (EPP) to have the clinical internship requirement deemed completed if that student meets certain conditions.
• Section 12.1: Temporarily removes barriers to allow retirees of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) to return to work on a part-time, temporary, or interim basis. Individuals must have retired on or after April 1, 2024, but before October 1, 2024.
• Includes $5 million to the State Board of Elections for new technology, communications, temporary staff, and leases for temporary sites to manage potential impacts on voting in affected counties.

House Bills Filed:

HB 1077: Helene/Extend Certain Deadlines (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Caleb Rudow, D-Buncombe; Marcia Morey, D-Durham; Pricey Harrison, D-Guildford)

• Extends the voter registration deadline and absentee ballot return deadline for counties devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The following links are recent news articles, press releases, and reports on state and national education-related issues.

State News
EdNC: General Assembly passes $273 million Helene relief bill
K-12 Dive: North Carolina schools mobilize after Hurricane Helene as Florida braces for Milton
High School OT: NCHSAA will extend fall sports season after Hurricane Helene
Cardinal & Pine: ‘There is progress’: Gov. Cooper, FEMA share update on Hurricane Helene response efforts in western NC
NC Newsline: Western North Carolina lawmakers weigh in on disaster relief bill
EdNC: Haywood Community College uses lessons learned from previous floods to help in Helene recovery
NC Newsline: Emergency election changes approved to help voters in 13 Helene-damaged NC counties
EdNC: ‘Our students stay together’: Old Fort Elementary School relocates after hurricane
NC DPI Press Release: $368 Million Awarded in Needs-Based School Construction Grants

National News
K-12 Dive: EPA final rule will require schools to replace all lead pipes over next decade
The 74: Report: Almost All Disabled Students Lack Access to College Readiness Programs

General Election Day is fast approaching and the deadline to register to vote is TODAY at 5 p.m. (excluding military and overseas citizens). If you haven’t already, visit the NC State Board of Elections site to register online before it closes: https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/how-register. If you miss the official voter registration deadline, you may register in person during early voting (learn more here). In-person early voting begins on October 17 and ends on November 2. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5.

The General Assembly may convene next on October 24 and again on November 19.