Approved Items: (All items that were put to a vote passed unanimously)

2024-2025 Allotment Policy Manual: The Board approved modifications and amendments to the NC Public Schools Allotment Manual. Notably, in the event that the State Board appoints an interim superintendent to lead a school district, the Board may direct DPI to reduce the Central Office Administration allotment to cover the interim superintendent’s salary and benefits. This reduction is not to exceed the annual total compensation for the most recent superintendent for that school district, regardless of funding source. This change is in accordance with State Board policy DSTR-041. Click here to view the presentation and here for the manual with changes. Allotment manual modifications will continue over the next few months.

Policies, Laws, and Guidelines Governing School Attendance: The Board approved state-mandated amendments to the School Attendance and Student Accounting Manual (see here). Some changes include:

• Beginning in January 2025, Pre-K students will count towards ADM when calculating principal pay if the school’s student population is 300 or more. These students are not being added to the school’s ADM totals for funding (Chapter 5). Pre-K ADM will be brought back to the SBE for further policy consideration in late fall.
• Revisions to the new Student Information System (SIS) (Appendix D).
• Clarification of the process for withdrawing a student of compulsory attendance age (Chapter 3).
• Removal of items related to NC Discipline and Data Reporting (they can now be found in the separate NC Discipline Data and Reporting and Procedures manual under the Center for Safer Schools).

View the full presentation here.

USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) Grant: North Carolina has been awarded more than $5.7 million to be distributed among 212 elementary schools for the 2024-25 school year. The program is intended to expand the variety of fruits and vegetables students are exposed to and increase students’ overall consumption of healthy food. The Board hopes this program will also increase community engagement by connecting local farms with schools. View more information here.

Personnel Salaries and Manual: The Board approved updates to the NC Public School Personnel Salary Schedules (see here) and Manual (see here). Notably, the manual clarifies that when an employee is suspended with pay and the suspension results in a loss of their educational license, the salary amount that was expended during suspension must be paid using local funds. The Board also approved updates to the personnel salary schedules that were enacted with the passage of SB 332. View the full presentation here.

State Board Chairman’s Update on Weldon City Schools: The Chairman of the Board provided two documents related to the Weldon City Board of Education. The first is the State Board of Education’s notice to the Weldon City Board of Education of the reasons they are considering suspending the Weldon City Board’s duties. The second outlines their motion to withhold funds from the Central Office Administration allotment for Weldon City to fund the appointment of State Board interim superintendent, Dr. Rodney Shotwell, for Weldon. The Board highlighted that this motion was not taken lightly, and that the Weldon City Board was given a variety of opportunities to remedy the situation up to this point. The Weldon City Board has 45 days to present a response and 60 days to resolve the outlined issues to avoid suspension of their duties.

Carbon Monoxide and Radon Gas Testing: The Board received an update on the status and cost of state-mandated carbon monoxide and radon gas testing in schools. Currently, estimates put the cost at approximately $85 million. While the report was incomplete, law requires a submission to the General Assembly at this point, so the Board approved the draft along with a letter requesting a time extension (see here). The Board additionally approved a motion that charter schools be included in the report, even though legislation does not require it. The presentation can be found here and a draft report to the GA shown here. Read more on this topic in an article by Ann Doss Helms for WFAE here.

Statewide Testing for Multilanguage/English Learners: The Board approved policy amendments for participation in the Statewide Testing Program for English Learners. Changes were made to amend past oversights and ensure that students are accurately identified for the program, receive fair testing accommodations, and exit at an appropriate time. These changes should impact over 400 students across the next 3 years. Review the presentation here and the policy changes here. The presenters also shone light on the transition in terminology from English Learner (EL) to Multilanguage Learner (ML). The federal term remains EL, but North Carolina seeks to acknowledge the skills students already have in place when entering English language programs by using the term ML.

Program for International Student Assessment (PISA): The Board approved the request for selected North Carolina schools to participate in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2025. The list of selected schools may be found here.

Contracts: The Board voted to approve 2 contracts over $500,000. Read more about the contracts here and here.

Discussion Items:

Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) in High School Athletics: The North Carolina High School Athletics Association (NCHSAA) presented to the Board on NIL policy and recommendations for high school student-athletes, but they were not put to a vote. The major takeaway was that policy should not support “pay to play,” but serve as a guide to schools, students, and families in navigating complicated opportunities. Currently, over 30 other states have an established NIL policy. North Carolina is in the process of deciding whether “to be or not to be,” as the presentation’s title (found here) succinctly describes the complex decision the state must make. Reporting on the presentation and NIL in the state can be found here on ABC 11.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt’s Report: Superintendent Truitt presented on end of year Dibels 8 data, a reading test that is administered 3 times a year in K-3. The exam is administered in both English (438,949 NC students in 2023-24) and Spanish (13,905 NC students in 2023-24). The results showed overall increases in students scoring at and above the benchmark. Truitt noted that, even as all racial/ethnic subgroups of students trend upwards in their scores, the work is not done in closing achievement gaps. The following counties from each region were highlighted for their success in administering Dibels 8 and their impressive outcomes: Camden County, Nash County, Alexander County, Mt. Airy, Clinton City, Brunswick County, Lincoln County, and Haywood County. Congratulations to these counties! Click here to view the presentation and here for the DPI press release.

School-Based Mental Health Policy: The current School-Based Mental Health Policy was amended to reflect additional physical activity requirements for students, mental health training requirements for all school personnel, and reporting requirements on the number of vacancies for certain school mental health professionals. Additionally, a video on child abuse and neglect is now required to be shown to students in grades 6-12 no more than five days after the start of the school year. See the policy with changes here.

Student Presentation on Mental Health: The 2024 State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, which is composed of students from across the state, gave a presentation on Mental Health and Substance Abuse in NC Schools. They concluded the presentation with a recommendation for legislation to provide for Narcan in all schools across North Carolina. See the presentation here. Click here to read more on WRAL.

Micro-Credential Standards: The Board received a presentation on micro-credential standards from DPI (see here). A micro-credential, which is often confused with a digital badge, verifies that an educator is proficient in a job-embedded discrete “skill” or “competency” via defined evaluation criteria. The Board is considering a request to adopt these standards and a rubric to guide future implementation of micro-credentials. This item will be brought in front of the Board again at a future meeting for approval.

Special Recognitions: The second day dedicated its open to an assortment of special recognitions. Click here to read the names and titles of the 2024-25 State Board of Education Advisors, here for the 2024 Teacher and Principal of the Year Cohorts, and here for the 2024 DPI Summer Interns.

August Budget Update: The Chief Financial Officer at DPI, Alexis Schauss, provided the monthly budget report to the Board. She reported that DPI is on track to have all allotments distributed within the next 2 to 4 weeks. Adjustments will continue until the final submission of numbers. Click here to review the current report numbers.

Contract Reports: Click here for the August 2024 Executed Contracts Report.

• FY 2025 Education Appropriations: The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY 2025 Labor-HHS-Education bill in a 31-25 vote, advancing a $185.8 billion measure that is 11% below current levels. The markup included an amendment from Chair Robert Aderholt (R-AL) that shifted $10 million from the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights to Charter Schools. Aderholt defended the cut by citing declining public school achievement scores despite significant federal pandemic aid. The bill allocates $72 billion for the Department of Education, a 13% decrease from FY 2024 and $14.5 billion less than the President’s request. In contrast, the Senate bill proposes $198.655 billion, which is 7.6% higher than the House version and 2.2% above FY 2024 levels. Additionally, the Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA bill passed in a 29-26 vote. It provides $31.7 billion for Child Nutrition Programs, $1.5 billion below the fiscal year 2024 level, and includes mandatory funding for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Summer Food Programs. Final appropriations decisions will be made after the November elections.

• The Impact of Inflation on Children and Family (Child Care): The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Subcommittee on Children and Families held a hearing on how rising everyday costs affect children and families. Chair Bob Casey (D-PA) attributed these increased costs to corporate greed and price gouging. Ranking Member Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) criticized the Biden-Harris Administration’s economic policies as the cause. The hearing underscored that childcare is a major expense, with many families spending more than the income federal affordability benchmark. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) stressed the need for a long-term strategy to improve childcare access and support providers. In response, an expert recommended improving the affordability of childcare to ensure families do not exceed the 7% benchmark while simultaneously increasing the wages of childcare providers.

Click here to read more about these topics and others in the report.

State News
WFDD: Child Care Needs Among the Top Reasons North Carolina Teachers Resign
NCDHHS Press Release: NCDHHS Awarded $2.5 Million To Expand School-Based Health Services
UNC School of Government Blog: New Law Regarding Pornography On Government Networks and Devices
WFAE: Many Teachers Will Feel a Pinch With This Year’s Paychecks 
WRAL: NC Schools Need $40 Million To Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
WFAE: School Choice Keeps Changing, But It’s Never Been Simple
Carolina Journal: Immigration Reform Group Supports Davidson Student’s Federal ‘Illegal Alien’ Lawsuit
EdNC: Center for Safer Schools Holds Annual Summit
Carolina Journal: NC Students Surpass Literacy Averages For 3^rd Year In a Row
EdNC: Annual School Supply Drive To Support Public Education Kicks Off
Wilson Times: Board – Private School Vouchers Hurt Public Schools
Port City Daily: Pender School Board Pulls Plug On EV Buses, Draws Out Other Votes Amid Tension
Daily Advance: Perquimans To Get Additional $12M From DPI For New School
News & Observer: NC Parents Ask House GOP To ‘Keep Your Promise’ To Fund Private School Vouchers
News & Observer: Nearly 1 in 4 NC Students Don’t Attend Traditional Public Schools, New Figures Show
News & Observer: New Rule Protecting Transgender Students Is On Hold At These NC Schools. Here’s Why
News & Observer: NC Parents Bill of Rights Produces ‘Concerning’ Decline in CMS Student Health Screenings
News & Observer: NIL In Public Schools? Inside the NCHSAA’s Presentation to the State Education Board

National News
ProPublica: School Vouchers Were Supposed To Save Taxpayer Money. Instead They Blew a Massive Hole In Arizona’s Budget
K-12 Dive: 5 Things To Know Before Title IX Rule’s Aug. 1 Implementation Date
Washington Post: Biden Rules Protecting Trans Students Take Effect – But Not Everywhere
The Hill: How the Private School Landscape Could Change With More Religious Public Schools
The 74: Forget Hot-Button Ed Issues – Voters Want Safe Schools and Kids Who Can Read
New York Times: The Youngest Pandemic Children Are Now In School, and Struggling
Washington Post: Four Years After Covid, Many Students Still Losing Ground
New York Times: More States Are Passing Book Banning Rules. Here’s What They Say
New York Times: Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Requires Public Schools To Teach the Bible
Washington Post: Virginia Is Changing the Way It Rates Schools. Here’s What To Know

Of the 29 that were sitting on Gov. Cooper’s desk:

• 23 were signed into law
• 1 became law after 10 days without Gov. Cooper’s signature
• 5 were vetoed

Of the 24 that became law:

• 4 directly impact LEAs
• 2 indirectly impact LEAs

Summaries of those 6 bills are further down in this Legislative Update.

The adjournment resolution, SJR 916, provides the General Assembly with the option of reconvening each month through the rest of the year. If there’s no business to address on these scheduled dates, each chamber will hold skeletal sessions (i.e., just a few members), as was witnessed this past Wednesday – the Senate session lasted only 1 minute and 34 seconds.

Speaker Tim Moore stated during Wednesday’s House session that his chamber “will be taking up the overrides and any other matters” during their next scheduled session between July 29 and August 1. Three of the five recent Governor vetoes have already been placed on the House calendar during that time.

To summarize the short session scorecard to date:

Of the 45 new laws:

Included below are the summaries of K-12 education-related bills passed during the short session. Also provided is the updated edition of the Legislative Session Summary for the 2023-2024 biennium

HB 250/S.L. 2024-43: Public Safety/Other Changes (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Dean Arp, R-Union)

• Section 5. Authorizes local boards of education to acquire easements through eminent domain, which include for water, sanitary, sewer, electric power, broadband, and telecommunications services.

HB 900/S.L. 2024-31: Certain CIHS Partners/Regulate Tabacco Prod

• Section 1. Allows Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy and Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy to maintain their cooperative innovative high school statuses. Requires the State Board of Education to approve the substitute of a new partner higher education institution for the Wake Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academies, no later than the 2025-2026 school year.

HB 942/S.L. 2024-27: SHALOM Act (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Time Moore, R-Cleveland; Stephen M. Ross, R-Alamance; Tricia Ann Cotham; Erin Paré, R-Wake)

• Assumes the Working Definition of Antisemitism, adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, as the North Carolina definition of antisemitism.
• The G.A. intends the definition to be used as a tool and guide for training, education, recognizing, and combating antisemitic hate crimes or discrimination and for tracking and reporting antisemitic incidents.

HB 971/S.L. 2024-26: Human Trafficking Changes

• Section 7. Prohibits the viewing of pornography on government networks of public agencies, including public school units, and specifically prohibits elected officials, employees, and students from viewing and storing pornography on devices owned, leased, maintained, or controlled by these agencies.
• Mandates public school units to adopt a policy governing the use of its network and devices. Specifies that each policy is required to delineate the disciplinary actions that will be taken in response to a violation of that policy.
• Lists certain activities that exempt an official or employee if performed while conducting official duties.
• Requires public school units to annually report incidents of unauthorized viewing or attempted viewing of pornography on their networks to the State Chief Information Officer (CIO) no later than August 1 in a format required by the CIO.
• Requires any employee, elected official, appointee, or student of a public agency with pornography saved to a device owned, leased, maintained, or otherwise controlled by that public agency to remove, delete, or uninstall the pornography no later than January 1, 2025.
• Effective October 1, 2024.

Statewide Senate Bills Passed into Law

SB 332/S.L. 2024-39: 2023 Appropriations Act Changes

• Authorizes pay increases from S.L. 2023-134 (HB 259: 2023 Appropriations Act) that included intent language. In summary:
  • Provides beginning teacher pay at $41,000.
  • Provides an average 3% increase for employees on the Teacher Salary Schedule.
  • Provides a 3% increase for all other school employees.
  • Provides principal bonuses.
• Defines the supplanting factor for each local school administrative unit as the lesser of the following:
  • The total non-State funds expended for salary supplements for teachers in the 2020-2021 fiscal year divided by the total State and non-State funds expended for salaries for teachers in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
  • The total non-State funds expended for salary supplements for teachers in the 2021-2022 fiscal year divided by the total State and non-State funds expended for salaries for teachers in the 2021-2022 fiscal
• If the State Board of Education finds a unit has supplanted non-State funds, the unit will only continue to receive State funds if it has remedied the deficiency in funding.

SB 375/S.L. 2024-40: Adjustments to the 2023 Appropriations Act

• Section 4. Allows SEAA (Authority) to allocate unused funds set aside for administrative costs associated with the Opportunity Scholarship Program and the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve to be used to cover additional administrative costs of the Personal Education Student Accounts for Children with Disabilities Program.

• Why Portrait of a Graduate (POG) Skills Matter to NC Employers – A Quantitative Analysis of Occupations: In a study on the alignment of POG durable skills with North Carolina occupations, the NC Department of Commerce LEAD (Labor and Economic Analysis Division) found that POG durable skills are important at some level (very important, important, somewhat important) to all occupations in North Carolina. To view the full presentation from LEAD, click here.

Updates:

• Charter Schools Review Board (CSRB): The CSRB provided an update that they approved the amendment recommended last month by the SBE to add language to prevent unprotected sex-discrimination in their 2024 Revised Charter Agreement (see here). The CSRB also reported 7 new remote charter school approvals (within current brick and mortar charter schools). The total number of charter schools will remain 210 for the upcoming school year (2 will close and 2 will open – 1 in Union and 1 in Craven).

Approved Items:
All the following items were put to a vote and passed:

• Parental Concern Hearings: The now approved rule on parental concern hearings does not differ from the temporary rule in place but outlines the requirement for public school units to pay ~$200/hour for hearing officers in the case of parental concern hearings.
• State Advisory Council on Indian Education (SACIE): The SBE approved nominees for membership on SACIE. Click here to view.
• Academically or Intellectually Gifted Definition: SBE approved the use of the existing definition to be adopted as the statewide definition. Click here for the policy amendments.
• SBE Policy Amendment – Local Academically or Intellectually Gifted (ACIG) Programs Guidelines: The SBE approved revisions to the AIG Program standards to be used by local units to create their Local AIG Plans. Click here to review them.
• SBE Policy Amendment – High School Diploma Endorsements: Click here to view. The two new proficiencies relate to art and NC citizenship.
• Read to Achieve Alternative Assessment and Twice Retained Definition: The Board approved this policy change that was discussed last month. See the presentation here and the policy with changes highlighted here.
• 2024-25 Comprehensive Plan for Reading Achievement (CPRA) Implementation Guide: Click here for the working copy.
• 2023-24 Education Preparation Program (EPP) – Science of Reading: View here.
• Approved Updates to the Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act: View the presentation here and the course objectives here.
• Approved K-12 World Language Standards: View here.
• Approved K-12 Arts Standards: View Dance here, Music here, Visual Arts here, and Theater here.
• Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC) Recommendations: The Board approved recommendations from PEPSC related to: North Carolina Principal Portfolio-Based Assessment (NCPPA) (view here); Pedagogy for Residency Licensure (RL) Programs, Preservice Training & Field Experiences for RL Teachers, & Preservice Training for Temporarily Licensed Teachers (view here); Appropriate Courses to Calculate the Grade Point Average for Admission to an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) (view here); and Preprofessional Skills Test Requirement for Entry into an Educator Preparation Program (view here).
• SBE Policy Amendment – Healthy Active Children Policy: One of the components of the approved policy directs districts to provide students in high school with the opportunity to participate in physical activity during the school day for 60 minutes weekly. The policy also strongly encourages school board members to participate regularly in DPI’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) meetings. To read more, click here.
• Rules Update: SBE approved the repealing of certain rules governing Schools for the Deaf and Blind. View supporting documents here, here, and here.
• Funding for New and Renewed Charter Schools: 14 renewed charter schools and 2 new charter schools were approved for funding.
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program Cohort 17 Competitive Grant Program Competition Results: A total of 60 applications are being recommended for funding (totals over $25 million); a majority are non-LEAs, but they are required to be partnered with local districts. All awarded organizations must attend mandatory on-boarding training or otherwise potentially forfeit their award. View the grant recipients here.
• Report from Alternative Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Subcommittee: The Subcommittee found that all 8 existing alternative EPPs are consistent with traditional models. The Subcommittee recommended retaining CAEP, resuming SBE, and adding AAQEP as pathways to approval of applications. They also recommended that DPI review CAEP standards to ensure they align with the NC EPP standards. Click here to view the report.
• SBE Appoints Interim Superintendent and Finance Officer:  Dr. Rodney Shotwell was approved by the SBE as the interim superintendent and finance officer of Weldon City Schools. In this role he will work for the State Board and report to the State Board. For more information on this action taken by the State Board of Education, please click here to watch the Weldon City Schools Board of Education meeting from Tuesday night, July 9, 2024.
• SBE Meeting Change: The SBE approved moving the Board’s fall planning and working session to Dec 2 – Dec 4, 2024.

• Education Funding Bill Approved by Appropriations Subcommittee: The House Appropriations Committee released its 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill. The Subcommittee approved the measure about 24 hours later on a party-line vote without amendments. The bill recommends $72 billion in discretionary spending for the Department of Education, which is $10 billion below President Joe Biden’s budget request. In a press release, Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) noted that the bill cuts funding for over 40 education programs and eliminates more than 50 others. The bill also contains multiple education policy restrictions related to who can use funding and why. The bill is expected to be marked up by the full Appropriations Committee on July 10.
• Special Education Advocates Promote Full Funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): The IDEA Full Funding Coalition, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the Council for Exceptional Children, and others held an event to promote fully funding IDEA. They call for further resources for special education teachers, stronger access to vital technologies, and enhanced educational opportunities for students. IDEA became law in 1975 and has historically been underfunded, with Congress currently funding only 13% of their promised 40%. Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA) provided pre-recorded comments and asserted that the IDEA Full Funding Act is his highest legislative priority. Ultimately, the event called for Congress to “honor their commitment” and fully fund IDEA.

To read more about national education funding and other topics, click here for the full July 1 report.

State News
News & Observer: NC teachers to get previously planned raises after Cooper signs bill
WFAE: Legislative cliffhangers and new details on the Trinitas Charter mystery
DPI Press Release: NC Portrait of a Graduate Skills Meet Critical Workforce Needs, NC Commerce Analysis Finds
Public Ed Works: Public education does the public good (on new NCSBA campaign)
WRAL: NC should drop entry exam requirements for prospective teachers, State Board of Education recommends
WRAL: ‘We need a million more’: Access to mental health care in NC schools is growing
WFAE: NC voucher expansion has GOP support, but didn’t materialize in state budget
Carolina Journal: Top NC court rejects pension spiking cases from Harnett, Wilson counties
EducationNC: SREB takes the lead on AI and education in the South. What are the takeaways so far?
EdNC: Drones are cool, but workforce pathways like this one are the game changer
WFAE: Upheaval — and one constant — in 22 years of education coverage
NC Newsline: First tenants move into Bertie County Schools workforce housing
Carolina Journal: School districts scramble as federal funding dries up
EducationNC: Perspective | TOY Leah Carper issues call to action to state leaders: ‘You work for our students’
EducationNC: Perspective | Superintendent Don Phipps: An open appeal and four issues where advocacy could make a difference
NC Health News: New program aims to ease summer hunger for NC children
AXIOS Raleigh: NC GOP pours $5.6 million into three swing state Senate seats

National News
ProPublica: Conservatives Go to War — Against Each Other — Over School Vouchers
Associated Press: How will Louisiana’s new Ten Commandments classroom requirement be funded and enforced?
NPR: Congress poured billions of dollars into schools. Did it help students learn?
New York Times: Why U.S.Schools Are Facing Their Biggest Budget Crunch in Years
K-12 Dive: House committee approves 25% cut to Title I
NPR: Disabled students are struggling to get what they need at school
K-12 Dive: Education Department considers IDEA accountability updates as more states miss mark
New York Times: The Youngest Pandemic Children Are Now in School, and Struggling
K-12 Dive: Virginia to curb student cellphone use in schools
The 74: When Was the Golden Age of American K-12 Education? And How Can We Tell?
Washington Post: Schools face a math problem: Money is running out and kids are still behind

Inside the Numbers:

• • 21 – New laws (so far)
    • 7 modified elections laws or terms of office (2 this week)
    • 3 technical/conforming laws impacting the retirement system
    • 3 overrides (this week)
    • 1 constitutional amendment (this week) to go before the voters
  • 29 – Bills currently sitting on the Governor’s desk awaiting action
    • 26 were sent to the Governor this week

Notable Bills:

One of the more notable bills on the Governor’s desk is SB 332: 2023 Appropriations Act Changes. This must become law for school employees to get their pay increases beginning July 1, 2024. As was pointed out in last Friday’s NCSBA Legislative Update, the budget from last year included intent language for the second year raises. SB 332 authorizes the raises. Just in time, this bill passed the General Assembly Thursday afternoon. It provides:

• • Beginning teacher pay at $41,000
  • Average 3% increase for employees on the Teacher Salary Schedule
  • 3% increase for all other school employees
  • Principal bonuses

The General Assembly also passed SB 357: Adjustments to the Appropriations Act legislators approved $67.5 million for child care programs after federal funding expired. Following the expiration of federal funding, this bill aims to stabilize the child care industry as potential closures loom. The bill now goes to Governor Cooper.

What Didn’t Pass?

Additional funds for Opportunity Scholarships are one of the notable items that did not pass both chambers before adjournment. That said, SJR 916: Adjournment Resolution provides both chambers with the option to return to Jones Street every month during 2024, including twice in July, to consider a variety of items.

Another bill that was not taken up by the House after it passed the Senate last week is HB 207: Discipline Changes. Among other things, this bill entitled students in 9th grade or above to appeal short-term suspensions lasting five or more days.

Neither the House nor Senate bills that proposed to adjust the second year of the budget (outlined in last week’s Update) received even a single hearing in the other chamber. Meaning, both the Senate and House have adjourned and gone home without a full budget adjustment agreement.

The outcomes of other education-related bills and details on the adjournment resolution are further down in the update.

• HB 44/SB 137: Const. Amendment/ Repeal Literacy Test
• SB 356: Constitutional Amendment/Photo ID
• HB 74: Constitutional Amendment/COS Vacancies
• SB 630: Various Constitutional Amendments: Maximum Tax Rate on Incomes Cannot Exceed Five Percent (& Photo ID)

The Carteret County School Board voted today to drop its appeal against the state school calendar law and approve a compliant start and end date for the upcoming school year. Without wavering in their position that the calendar law is unconstitutional, the board did not make this decision lightly, citing a desire to avoid keeping students and their families in limbo over when school starts. To read more from a local article, click here.

S332: 2023 Appropriations Act Changes

• • Provides beginning teacher pay at $41,000.
  • Provides an average 3% increase for employees on the Teacher Salary Schedule.
  • Provides a 3% increase for all other school employees.
  • Provides principal bonuses.
  • Defines the supplanting factor for each local school administrative unit as the lesser of the following:
    • The total non-State funds expended for salary supplements for teachers in the 2020-2021 fiscal year divided by the total State and non-State funds expended for salaries for teachers in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
    • The total non-State funds expended for salary supplements for teachers in the 2021-2022 fiscal year divided by the total State and non-State funds expended for salaries for teachers in the 2021-2022 fiscal
  • If the State Board of Education finds a unit has supplanted non-State funds, the unit will only continue to receive State funds if it has remedied the deficiency in funding.

HB 250: Public Safety/Other Changes  (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Dean Arp R-Union)

• • Section 5 grants local boards of education the authority to acquire utility easements for school facilities through eminent domain.
  • Effective July 1, 2024.

HB 900: Certain CIHS Partners/Regulate Tobacco Prod. (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Erin Paré, R-Wake; Sarah Crawford, D-Wake; Ya Liu, D-Wake; Maria Cervania, D-Wake)

• • Requires the State Board of Education to approve the substitute of a new partner higher education institution for the Wake Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academies, no later than the 2025-2026 school year.
  • Allows Wake Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academies to maintain their cooperative innovative high school statuses.
  • A Senate amendment adds an extensive section about tobacco regulation. No impact on school boards.

Local Bills Passed into Law:

HB 1064/S.L.2024-14: Various Local Provisions III.

• • Section 5 aligns the elections for the Jackson County Board of Education with general elections. The Jackson Board of Education would be eligible to revise the residency districts in 2030 if deemed advisable.
  • Section 7 requires that six members of the Polk County Board of Education all be elected from single-member residency districts and one member be elected from the county at-large. All candidates would still be voted on by all eligible voters in the county and the residency districts would remain the same.
  • Section 10 states that vacancies on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education will be filled in accordance with G.S. 115C-37.1, which requires the Board in most cases to consult with the county executive committee of the vacating member’s political party, and appoint that committee’s nominee, if the recommendation is made within 30 days after the seat becomes vacant.

SB 912/S.L.2024-13: Elections Changes for Watauga Ed & County Bds (Primary Sponsor: Senator Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell)

• • Alters elected terms for the Watauga County Board of Education so that all five elected Board members serve staggered four-year terms, including the top three candidates in the 2024 election.
  • Creates electoral districts for the Watauga County Board of Education that will be the same as those for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
  • Requires that one Board member residing in each district will be elected only by qualified voters also residing in that district.

Passed Both Chambers & Awaiting Compromise:

S90: Schools for the Deaf and Blind Transition

• • Clarifies that schools for the deaf and blind are independent State agencies, establishes certain immunities and funding, clarifies the appeals process for admissions, and outlines intent to establish funding for administrative costs.

Did Not Pass the House:

H38: Education Omnibus Changes (Primary Sponsors: Representatives A. Reece Pyrtle, R-Rockingham; Jason Saine, R-Lincoln; Ben T. Moss, R-Richmond; Charles W. Miller, R-Brunswick)

• • Original House bill required that cash be accepted as a form of payment for admission fees to interscholastic athletic activities.
  • The following are amendments added in the Senate:
  • Allows Dare Early College High School and Rockingham County CTE Innovation High School to operate as cooperative innovative high schools.
  • Expands eligibility for forgivable loans under the NC Teaching Fellows Program to include students enrolled in educator preparation programs during the 2023-2024 academic year.

HB 207: Discipline Changes (Introduced by: Senator Steve Jarvis, R-Davidson)

• • Requires the principal or designee at the informal hearing to provide the student facing discipline with detailed, written documentation of the specific section of the Code of Student Conduct that was violated.
  • Entitles a student in 9th grade or above to appeal a short-term suspension lasting five or more days if the request is made within 14 days of the principal’s decision.
  • Permits any short-term suspension to be expunged for a student in 9th grade or above if certain criteria are met.

HB 563: Hemp-Derived Consumables/Con Sub Changes (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Jeffrey McNeely, R-Iredell; Wayne Sasser, R-Stanly; Tracy Ann Cotham, R-Mecklenburg; Ken Fontenot, R-Wilson)

• • Requires local boards of education to adopt a written policy prohibiting the use of hemp-derived consumable products on any school properties and at school-sponsored events.

HB 237/S.L.2024-16: Various Criminal and Election Law Changes

• • Senate overrode the veto 30-14.
  • House overrode the veto 70-46.
  • To review Governor Roy Cooper’s Veto Message from June 21, click here.
  • Modifies the health and safety exemption from certain laws prohibiting the wearing of certain face coverings in public and enhance the criminal punishment if the defendant wears a mask to conceal their identity during the commission of a crime.
  • Restructures the reporting requirements for contributions made to candidate campaign committees and political committees in NC by federal political committees and other political organizations.

HB 834/S.L.2024-17: Juvenile Justice Modifications

• • Senate overrode the veto 30-14.
  • House overrode the veto 70-46.
  • To review Governor Coopers Veto Message from June 14, click here.
  • Section 4 prohibits principals from having automatic suspension policies and requires them to make decisions on a case-by-case basis during a student’s pending delinquency status.

• HELP Committee Examines Challenges Facing Public School Teachers: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to discuss the short and long-term issues public school teachers are facing, including low pay, teacher shortages, and underfunding. Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) argued that quality education for all is necessary for a “bright and hopeful future for our country.” He subsequently pointed out that teachers “have been overworked, underpaid, understaffed, and maybe most importantly, underappreciated.” In addition to higher pay, teachers and other witnesses pointed to the critical need for further resources, including better teacher preparation, classroom conditions, and curricula.
• Budget and Appropriations Wrap-Up: The Labor, Health and Human Services and Education spending bill is scheduled for action on Thursday, June 27^th, but the controversial bill has been frequently rescheduled in the past, so a delay could ensue. It’s expected that when the bill is marked up, worrisome cuts to education are likely.

Click here to read more about these topics and others in the June 24 report.

State News
Associated Press: North Carolina legislators leave after veto overrides, ballot question, unfinished business
EducationNC: On the record with Superintendent Catherine Truitt: ‘I have zero regrets’
News & Observer: Spending plan without extra raises passes NC Senate, as budget deal eludes GOP
WRAL: NC students: The teacher shortage hurts us
News & Observer: Targeting vaping ‘epidemic,’ NC lawmakers could remove hundreds of products from stores
WFAE: House bill would let a politically connected charter school open without state review
WRAL: Wake Schools’ leadership academies would keep special status under changed NC Senate bill
NC DPI Press Release: New Program Will Create Job Opportunities in Drone Industry for NC High School Graduates
WRAL: Durham Public Schools redistricting plan praised as step toward equity
NC Health News: Communities across N.C. work to curb suicides amid worsening mental health crisis
Public School Forum of North Carolina:      Brief | Opportunity Scholarships and the schools that receive them
ABC 13 News: Nearly 70% of North Carolina fourth graders lack reading proficiency, study finds
Wilmington StarNews: Candidates for NC governor face off on key topics during Wilmington Power Breakfast
Associated Press: North Carolina governor vetoes masks bill largely because of provision about campaign finance
WRAL: ELIZABETH PAUL & MARY ANN WOLF: Are vouchers school choice or schools’ choice?
News & Observer: Wake will lower its high school graduation requirements. But it wasn’t their call.

National News
The 74: 5 Ways to Embrace Advanced Learning Programs & Make Them Available to More Kids
K-12 Dive: Senate education committee debates federal role in boosting teacher pay
The Hechinger Report: PROOF POINTS: This is your brain. This is your brain on screens
K-12 Dive: Republican FY 25 plan would cut education funding by $11B
Inside Higher Ed: Title IX Legal Challenges Target LGBTQ+ Protections
K-12 Dive: SIIA warns schools and ed tech to prepare for costly, time-consuming Title II compliance
K-12 Dive: Oklahoma Supreme Court blocks nation’s 1st religious public charter school
New York Times: Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Requires Public Schools to Teach the Bible
EducationWeek: Supreme Court Case on Transgender Youth Medical Care May Impact Schools
K-12 Dive: USDA’s updated nutrition standards will cost school districts $206M annually
National Center for Education Statistics: Report on the Condition of Education 2024

• For Spanish-speaking families and students in your county: The Hispanic Federation (HF) recently announced a Health Hotline, called NC Salud, to assist the Spanish-speaking community in NC in accessing health care coverage information. As HF describes it, “the vital service is available to provide accessible, reliable, and culturally sensitive health information and support to Spanish-speaking individuals and families who want to learn more about Medicaid in North Carolina and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).” The hotline number is 1-844-438-6827. To learn more, click here.
• How districts can keep high-impact tutoring going as ESSER funds expire: To learn about using other funds and services from AmeriCorps, the US Department of Education, and more, click here.

• • July 10
  • July 29 – August 1
  • September 9 – 11
  • October 9
  • November 19 – 22
  • December 11.

Excluding the November 19-22 session, only bills related to vetoes, litigation, appointments, elections, and other specific matters can be taken up. During the November session, bills affecting the state budget, constitutional amendments, local bills filed by May 7, 2024, and other topics will be eligible for discussion and action.

The Senate mostly proposed additional funds to items they deemed time-sensitive, including:

• Fully funding Opportunity Scholarships
• Providing over $100,000 for childcare needs
• Medicaid funding

The Senate budget mirrors the salary levels in the budget passed last year.

The House budget proposal spends around $300 million more than the Senate’s plan. Extra funds in the K-12 portion include:

• Salary increases for all school employees above what was previously budgeted
• Increasing beginning teacher pay from $41,000 to $44,000
• An additional $500,000 per county for school repairs and renovations
• Reinstates Master’s pay
• Increases the Small County and Low-Wealth allotments
• More than $10 million towards CTE programs
• 2% one-time cost-of-living adjustment to retirees
• Fully funds Opportunity Scholarships

Both House and Senate leaders say they are leaving Raleigh after their work is done next week for an extended duration, most likely without a deal. Speaker Moore said, “And it may be that perhaps during this summertime with a lot of heat, maybe a little cooling off might be a good thing around this building as well.” He added, “So with that being the case, we may go into, it has yet to be determined whether we may go into a recess period, no vote period or an adjournment for some period of time.”

Fortunately, the 2nd year of the budget that was passed last year goes into effect July 1. However, that budget used intent language for the second-year salary increases, meaning until the General Assembly passes a “budget” bill with those increases included, school employees will not see additional monies in their paychecks.

Bills Passed into Law

HB 988: Retirement Technical Corrections (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Makes conforming changes across TSERS, LGERS, Legislative Retirement System, and State Health Plan to ensure consistent reading of the statutes administered by the Department of State Treasurer.
• Henceforth SL 2024-9.

HB 989: Retirement Service Purchase Rewrite Part III (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Last part of a multi-year effort to recodify and standardize the remaining service purchase types across all retirement systems (excluding military service purchases).
• Henceforth SL 2024-10.

HB 1020: Retirement Admin. Changes Act of 2024 (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Makes minor administrative changes to the operation of the Retirement Systems and administering retirement benefits by expanding eligibility for participation in the 401(k) plan for part-time employees in accordance with SECURE Act 2.0.
• Henceforth SL 2024-8.

Statewide Bills Sent Back to House for Concurrence Vote

HB 207: Discipline Changes (Introduced by: Senator Steve Jarvis, R-Davidson)

• The original bill that dealt with training for teachers was replaced with language pertaining to short and long-term suspensions.
• Requires the principal or designee at the informal hearing to provide the student facing discipline with detailed, written documentation of the specific section of the Code of Student Conduct that was violated.
• Entitles a student in 9th grade or above to appeal a short-term suspension lasting five or more days if the request is made within 14 days of the principal’s decision.
• Permits any short-term suspension to be expunged for a student in 9th grade or above if certain criteria are met.
• This bill is wordy and convoluted; we suggest you read it for yourself.
• Applies to 2024-25 school year.
• Passed the Senate 43-0.

H38: Education Omnibus Changes (Primary Sponsors: Representatives A. Reece Pyrtle, R-Rockingham; Jason Saine, R-Lincoln; Ben T. Moss, R-Richmond; Charles W. Miller, R-Brunswick)

• Original House bill required that cash be accepted as a form of payment for admission fees to interscholastic athletic activities.
• The following are amendments added in the Senate:
• Allows Dare Early College High School and Rockingham County CTE Innovation High School to operate as cooperative innovative high schools.
• Adjusts the supplanting criteria for supplemental funds allocated for teacher compensation to ensure compliance and appropriate use of funds by local school administrative units.
• Expands eligibility for forgivable loans under the NC Teaching Fellows Program to include students enrolled in educator preparation programs during the 2023-2024 academic year.
• Allows the Authority administering Opportunity Scholarships to allocate unused administrative funds for the Personal Education Student Accounts for Children with Disabilities Program.
• Passed the Senate 43-0.

HB 900: Certain CIHS Partners/Regulate Tobacco Prod. (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Erin Paré, R-Wake; Sarah Crawford, D-Wake; Ya Liu, D-Wake; Maria Cervania, D-Wake)

• Requires the State Board of Education to approve the substitute of a new partner higher education institution for the Wake Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academies, beginning as early as the 2024-2025 school year.
• A Senate amendment adds an extensive section relating to youth access to tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, vapor products, and cigarette wrapping papers. No impact on school boards.
• Passed the Senate 41-0.

Local Bill Sent to House

SB 912: Elections Changes for Watauga Ed & County Bds (Primary Sponsor: Senator Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell)

• Alters elected terms for the Watauga County Board of Education so that all five elected Board members serve staggered four-year terms, including the top three candidates in the 2024 election.
• Creates electoral districts for the Watauga County Board of Education that will be the same as those for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
• Requires that one Board member residing in each district will be elected only by qualified voters also residing in that district.
• Passed the Senate 30-19.

Child Nutrition House Appropriations Subcommittee Marks Up USDA Funding Bill: A House Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee approved its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) bill, which includes mandatory funding for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Summer Food. It also increases funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) said the legislation “invests in rural communities, expands access to broadband, provides nutrition assistance to those in need, and ensures that American consumers have a safe food and drug supply.” Committee Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) argued that the bill puts food assistance at risk for vulnerable Americans, particularly women and children, and jeopardizes pediatric health.

Budget and Appropriations Wrap-Up Update: The FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) bill is expected to see subcommittee consideration the week of June 24. Full committee debate is tentatively scheduled for the second week of July.

To read more, click here to view the full report for the week of June 18.

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

State News
Associated Press: North Carolina House seeks higher worker pay, child care and voucher money in budget bill
EducationNC: House budget: Additional raises, master’s pay, and more funds for Opportunity Scholarships
Associated Press: North Carolina legislature likely heading home soon for a ‘little cooling off’ over budget
WFAE: Can courts get students back in class next year?
EducationNC: North Carolina high schoolers report fewer suicidal behaviors, survey shows
News & Observer: Natural hairstyles for students, staff in Wake schools to soon have CROWN Act protections
EducationNC: Perspective | Recruiting and supporting educators is critical for North Carolina’s children
EducationNC: State is losing more than $5 billion per year due to lack of child care access, study finds
Associated Press: North Carolina governor vetoes bill that would mandate more youths getting tried in adult court
WRAL: Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff visits Durham to announce funding for lead mitigation in schools and daycares
WRAL: Constitutional amendments could be on NC voters’ 2024 ballots, top GOP leader says

National News
New York Times: Public Funding, Private Education
The 74: As Schools Brace for More English Learners, How Well Are They Being Served Now
The 74: JUMP In: Math Tutoring Program Slows Pace, Builds in Repetition and Get Results
The 74: Why Many ‘High-Achieving’ Students Don’t Become Teachers and What We Can Do About It
EducationWeek: Who’s Eligible for Special Education Services? Schools Struggle to Keep Up
The 74: Want to Close America’s Learning Gaps? First, Strengthen Students’ Relationships
Press Release from the Federal Communications Commission: FCC Adopts $200 Million Cybersecurity Pilot Program For Schools and Libraries
New York Times: Louisiana Requires Ten Commandments to Be Displayed in Every Public Classroom
K-12 Dive: Civil liberty groups vow to fight Louisiana’s Ten Commandments displays in schools
New York Times: California Joins Growing National Effort to Ban Smartphone Use in Schools
K-12 Dive: Warning label needed for social media, US Surgeon General says
The 74: Hundreds of High Schools Wrongfully Refused Entry to Older, Immigrant Student
The 74: Juneteenth: New Ways to Teach about Slavery, Black Perseverance and U.S. History

Currently, no other schedules have been released for education-related committees next week. Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates.

Speaker Moore indicated to the media this week that the House supports doing something for state employees and teachers beyond what’s already budgeted. The House is also interested in addressing childcare funding, vouchers, and other programs. Moore added, however, that the Senate is not necessarily on the same page (apart from vouchers). Meanwhile, Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) indicated that the House is proposing to spend too much. In his words, the Senate is “just not willing to bust the bank.”

Senate leaders have indicated that they hope to wrap up the short session in the next few weeks, whether or not a new (adjusted) budget is in place. The two-year budget passed last year during the long session will remain in place if the chambers do not come to a compromise.

We will send out an alert with education highlights to our readers shortly after the House budget proposal is made public. A more detailed summary will follow next Friday.

Additionally, following up on last week’s update about Carteret County’s struck down calendar, the Carteret County Board of Education unanimously voted to appeal the decision and ask for a stay petition which would delay the effect of the judge’s ruling. Click here to read more from the Carteret County News-Times.

Bills Sent to the Governor:

HB 988: Retirement Technical Corrections (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Makes conforming changes across TSERS, LGERS, Legislative Retirement System, and State Health Plan to ensure consistent reading of the statutes administered by the Department of State Treasurer.
• Passed the Senate 46-0.

HB 989: Retirement Service Purchase Rewrite Part III (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Last part of a multi-year effort to recodify and standardize the remaining service purchase types across all retirement systems (excluding military service purchases).
• Passed the Senate 46-0.

HB 1020: Retirement Admin. Changes Act of 2024 (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Makes minor administrative changes to the operation of the Retirement Systems and administering retirement benefits by expanding eligibility for participation in the 401(k) plan for part-time employees in accordance with SECURE Act 2.0.
• Passed the Senate 46-0.

Statewide Bill Passed by Senate Committee:

HB 207: Discipline Changes (Introduced by: Senator Steve Jarvis, R-Davidson)

• The original bill that dealt with training for teachers was replaced with language pertaining to short and long term suspensions.
• Requires principals or their designees to accept a detailed, written eyewitness account only from school personnel and/or the student subject to the discipline within 24 hours of the incident.
• Requires the principal or designee to provide the student facing discipline with detailed, written documentation of the specific section of the Code of Student Conduct that was violated and information about a right to appeal short-term suspensions of 5 days or more if the request is made within 14 days of the principal’s decision.
• Requires the governing body to adopt a policy providing the procedures for the appeal and allows for the superintendent or designee to conduct the appeal hearing.
• Requires short-term suspensions to a student in 9th grade or above to be expunged if certain criteria are met.
• Applies to 2024-25 school year.
• Passed Senate Education/Higher Education.

Local Bill Passed by Senate Committee:

SB 912: Elections Changes for Watauga Ed & County Bds (Primary Sponsor: Senator Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell)

• Filed this week.
• Alters elected terms for the Watauga County Board of Education so that all five elected Board members serve staggered four-year terms.
• Creates electoral districts for the Watauga County Board of Education that will be the same as those for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
• Requires that one Board member residing in each district will be elected only by qualified voters also residing in that district.
• Passed Senate Redistricting and Elections.

Statewide Bill Passed by House Committees:

HB 1044 County Tier Designation Study Bill (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Jake Johnson, R-Polk; Robert Reives, D-Chatham)

• Directs the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill to study changes to the county tier designation system.
• Passed House State Government.

Budget and Appropriations Wrap-Up: The House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) is still aiming to get all budget bills passed before the August recess. There has been no word from the Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) about her timeline for marking up bills. Some predict that temporary spending bills may keep the federal government operating through the elections. President Biden’s request for the Department of Education for FY 2025 reflects a $3.1 billion (4%) increase from the FY 2024 continued resolution, but Congress has the final say on the budget.

House Education Panel on Border Security Impact on K-12 Schools: A House Education Subcommittee held a hearing on the impact of border activity on K-12 schools. A Supreme Court 1982 ruling affirmed that education is a fundamental right, regardless of a student’s immigration status. Providing education for undocumented students “requires substantial resources, altering the learning environment for all students,” stated Subcommittee Chair Aaron Bean (R-FL). Schools are currently facing higher levels of enrollment, transportation delays, increased language-related costs, and lower levels of parental involvement. There was substantial disagreement during the hearing on whether the solution is to change immigration policies or provide schools with more resources. Click here for a hearing recap.

To read more on these topics and see the full report for the week of June 3, click here.

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

State News
EducationNC: The EC teacher shortage in North Carolina: Solutions from EdNC’s reporting
EducationNC: NC Ed Corps highlights need for more high-dosage tutoring
News & Observer: Thousands of state employees, teachers to get raises in July — even if there’s no new budget
EducationNC: EdExplainer | Why early childhood education isn’t ‘day care’
News & Observer: GOP’s Robinson tells Moms for Liberty he wants to get DEI out of schools, government
WRAL: Conservative group wants high school graduates to pass US citizenship test
News & Observer: LGBTQ advocates, lawmakers rebuke NC laws targeting trans youth in Pride Month push
WFAE: For first time since 2011, the number of NC charter schools will be flat
News & Observer: NC Board of Education votes against allowing public school athletes access to NIL money
The Assembly: Essay: Why I Left Teaching
Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County Schools to outsource substitute teacher program to private firm
WRAL: State Health Plan raises premiums for 26,000 NC members
WRAL: NC lawmakers pass new rules for wearing masks in public, plus ‘dark money’ political spending
WRAL: Bill would alter appeal process for NC deaf and blind school admission
Press Release from the Office of Governor Cooper: Major North Carolina Employers Agree: Meaningful Investments in Child Care and Early Childhood Education are Critical to Strengthening Our Workforce and Economy

National News
The 74: Report: Schools Won’t Recover from COVID Absenteeism Crisis Until at Least 2030
K-12 Dive: Bipartisan Senate bill would create federal guidance for AI in schools
The 74: Poll: For Many School Choice Advocates, ‘Religious’ Means ‘Christian’
EducationWeek: The State of Career and Technical Education, in Charts
The 74: Personalized Learning Boosts Student Engagement, Reduces Pandemic Learning Loss
K-12 Dive: What are the most common school communications crises?
National Institute for Early Education Research: The State of Preschool Yearbook
Washington Post: Virginia school board sued after reinstating Confederate school names
The 74: Science of Reading Push Helped Some States Exceed Pre-Pandemic Performance

House: Appropriations
Tuesday, June 18, 9:00 AM
Click here to stream.

House: Finance
Tuesday, June 18, 1:00 PM
Click here to stream.
The bill being heard is HB 263: 2023 Appropriations Act.

House: Pensions and Retirement
Tuesday, June 18, 2:00 PM
Click here to stream.
The bill being heard is HB 263: 2023 Appropriations Act.

Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates.

A Superior Court Judge ruled on Wednesday that the Carteret County Schools’ adopted calendar “is contrary to statute and is VOID,” adding that the Defendant is prohibited “from adopting or enforcing a school schedule for that school year that fails to comply with the requirements set forth in NC G.S. 115C-84.2(d).”

The Carteret County Board of Education argued that the calendar law referenced above is unconstitutional on its face. The NC constitution states that “The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools… and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.” However, the State’s extremely rigid calendar law only applies to traditional public schools – exemptions include public charter schools, lab schools, low performing restart schools, cooperative innovative high schools, and regional schools. The judge dismissed the case after recent filings without transferring the constitutional issue to a 3-judge panel which is required by state law.

The Board released a statement saying it will meet soon to consider an appeal. Stay tuned.

To read more on this case and the state school calendar law, click here.

HB 834: Juvenile Justice Modifications (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Ted Davis Jr., R-New Hanover; Neal Jackson, R-Moore)

• Passed the House 70-34.
• SECTION 4.(b) Prohibits principals from having automatic suspension policies and requires them to make decisions on a case-by-case basis during a student’s pending delinquency status.

Bills Sent from the House to the Senate:

HB 900: Substitute Certain CIHS Partners/Wake. (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Erin Paré, R-Wake; Sarah Crawford, D-Wake; Ya Liu, D-Wake; Maria Cervania, D-Wake)

• Passed the House 104-0.
• Requires the State Board of Education to approve the substitute of a new partner higher education institution for the Wake Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academies, beginning as early as the 2024-2025 school year.
• Appropriates recurring funds to DPI for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to cover a shortfall of tuition payments for Cooperative Innovative High Schools.

Read more on WRAL here.

HB 1058: Jackson Co Bd of Ed Elections to Nov (Primary Sponsor: Representative Mike Clampitt, R-Swain)

• Passed the House 102-2.
• Shifts elections for the Jackson County Board of Education from the primary election date to the general election date.
• Applies to elections held in 2026 and thereafter.

Bills Heard by Senate Committee:

HB 207: Discipline Changes (Introduced by: Senator Steve Jarvis, R-Davidson)

• The Senate Education/Higher Education Committee chairs said they will vote on this bill during Wednesday’s meeting.
• PCS was heard for discussion-only this week.
• Requires principals or their designees to accept a detailed, written eyewitness account from school personnel or the student facing suspension within 24 hours of the incident.
• Requires the principal or designee to provide the student facing discipline with detailed, written documentation of the specific section of the Code of Student Conduct that was violated.
• Requires a student facing a short term suspension to be provided with information on the right to appeal and allows them to appeal short-term suspensions of 5 days or more if the request is made within 14 days of the principal’s decision.
• Requires the governing body to adopt a policy providing the procedures for the appeal and allows for the superintendent or designee to conduct the appeal hearing.
• Requires a detailed, written decision based on substantial evidence.
• Requires short-term suspensions to a student in 9th grade or above to be expunged if certain criteria are met.
• Applies to 2024-25 school year.

Senate Bills Filed:

SB 911 (=HB 1075) Const. Amend./Right to Access Public Records. (Primary Sponsors: Senators Graig Meyer, D-Orange; Dan Blue. D-Wake)

• Clarifies the right to access public records, attend meetings of public bodies, and access the records of public officials and agencies.
• Allows for exceptions to public access of meetings and records if the limitation protects a compelling public interest and is narrowly tailored to do so.

House Bills Filed:

HB 1075 (=SB 911) Const. Amend./Right to Access Public Records. (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford; Diamond Staton-Willliams, D-Cabarrus; Lindsey Prather, D-Buncombe; Tim Longest, D-Wake)

• Clarifies the right to access public records, attend meetings of public bodies, and access the records of public officials and agencies.
• Allows for exceptions to public access of meetings and records if the limitation protects a compelling public interest and is narrowly tailored to do so.

• Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted: DPI recommends the use of the existing definition to be adopted as the statewide definition. The criteria for determining which students are identified as AIG shall be based on local needs as outlined in the Local AIG Plans of LEAs and other PSUs. Click here for the policy amendments.
• 2024-25 Comprehensive Plan for Reading Achievement (CPRA) Implementation Guide: DPI’s Office of Early Learning is proposing that the State Diagnostic Assessment for K-3 be extended through grades 4-5 to create continuous data for districts to track their support. Click here to see current minor changes and more.
• NC Career and Technical Education (CTE): SBE approved the Course Inventory Updates for 2025-26. Notably includes manufacturing courses being changed to the local level to give districts more flexibility based on local needs.
• myFutureNC: Though their goal is 2 million, myFutureNC projects that NC will hit 1.93 million North Carolinians aged 22-44 with a post-secondary degree/credential by 2030. Click here to view the full presentation.
• PEPSC Recommendation on North Carolina Principal Portfolio-Based Assessment: Click here for their recommendation.
• Alternative Learning Programs and Schools Support Update: Presentation is here. Note that each LEA is required to have an alternative school or program. Those units which do not currently meet that requirement will be receiving formal notifications and offers of assistance.
• North Carolina Education Corps: As ESSER funds run out, NC Education Corps seeks the conversion of NC funding from non-recurring to recurring. View the presentation here.
• DPI Legislative Update: Click here to see the presentation from DPI’s Director for Government Affairs.

Health & Athletics:

• Proposed K-12 Healthful Living Standards: SBE passed the following updates: health education standards (see here) and physical education standards (see here). Click here for reporting on the reception of the sex education component.
• NC Middle School Athletic Manual Update: SBE passed changes related to biological requirements, residency requirements, and others to be consistent with the high school manual. For a summary of changes, see here. For the full 2024 Manual, see here.
• SBE Policy Amendments – Athletics: The Board passed the amendments presented last month. Policy changes effective July 1, 2024 are shown as follows: ATHL-000 (Athletic Trainers), ATHL-001 (Interscholastic Athletics), ATHL-002 (Administering Organizations), ATHL- 003 (Student Health and Safety Requirements), ATHL-004 (Penalty Rules), ATHL-005 (Student Participation), and ATHL-006(Reporting Rules). The following three items are new policies: ATHL-008 (Amateur Rules), ATHL-009 (Limitations on Recruiting), and ATHL-010 (Appeals).
• The 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: This data, sometimes used to seek funds, develop programs and policies, and support legislation, was presented to the Board. Among middle school and high school students:
  • Cigarette smoking data has not changed.
  • Vaping, marijuana, prescription pills, and alcohol use are down.
  • No significant change in bullying data.
  • About the same percentage of overweight/obese students.
  • The percentage of high schoolers with consistent feelings of being alone/lonely is back on a downtrend but is still not where we need to be.
  • LGBT students have comparatively (to their heterosexual counterparts) higher rates of suicide consideration and attempt.
  • Screentime has continuously gone up.
• “Wellness Wheel” at Washington Montessori Elementary: The Board heard a spirited presentation from the principal on his school’s initiative on physical, intellectual, and environmental wellness. With selfie sticks, walking field trips, and books to boot, this school may be a window into what’s possible.
• Healthy Active Children Policy: One of the components of the proposed policy directs districts to provide students in high school with the opportunity to participate in physical activity during the school day for 60 minutes weekly. The policy also strongly encourages board members to participate regularly in DPI’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) meetings. To read more, click here.
  • Note: At the elementary level, health and physical education is expected to be integrated into the regular class by teachers.

Charter School Business:

• Charter Schools Review Board (CRSB) Update on Charter Renewals: The Board passed the 2024 revised Charter Agreement (see here), conditioned on the amendment of adding language that prevents discrimination on the basis of sex (with an exception for same-sex schools).
• New Charter Schools: Two charters are scheduled to open in the fall, one in Union and one in Craven.
• CRSB Remote Charter Applications: CRSB approved the first three remote charter applications for Telra Institute in Charlotte, Northeast Carolina Preparatory School in Tarboro, and Ascend Leadership Academy in Sanford.
• Appeal from the CSRB: SBE passed CSRB’s recommended decision to end the charter for Kinston’s Children Village Academy (CVA). Among a variety of issues, CVA committed fiscal mismanagement. To read more, click here.
• 2023 Annual Charter Schools Report: SBE passed the report mentioned last month. Click here to review.

Other Business:

• NC General Assembly: School Start and End Dates: To read the report that passed the SBE vote, click here.
• SBE Policy Amendment: NC Public Schools Allotment Manual: SBE passed changes to the 2024-2025 Allotment Policy Manual. See here.
• Proposed K-12 World Language Standards: Click here to read the full proposal of standards.
• PRAXIS Cut Score Lowered for Licensure Testing Requirements: SBE passed three updates from the vendor ETS/Praxis for licensure content examinations. All current tests will remain available to be administered until August 31, 2025, and will be valid for licensure purposes for three years. All updated tests will start being administered on September 1, 2024.
• Recommendations from the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC): PEPSC provided recommendations for Pedagogy for Residency Licensure (RL) Programs, Preservice Training & Field Experiences for RL Teachers, Preservice Training for Temporarily Licensed Teachers, Appropriate Courses to Calculate the Grade Point Average for Admission to an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), Preprofessional Skills Test Requirement for Entry into an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), and Preprofessional Skills Test Requirement for Entry into an Educator Preparation Program. See the presentation here.
• The Homeless and Foster Transportation Grant: Click here to read about this grant. Awards are provided to PSUs with at least 7% of the total student population comprised of students identified as homeless or foster. Data on population and funding is shown here.
• Advanced Teaching Roles Request for Proposals (RFP) for 2024-2025: SBE passed the request for proposals shown here.
• Policy Amendments: SBE approved the following policy amendments: State Graduation Requirements, Advanced Courses Satisfying Graduation Requirements, and Course for Credit.

State News
WFAE: CMS ‘Teacher Village’ plan generates excitement and questions for City Council
WRAL: Proposal to revamp special education funding heads to NC lawmakers
WFAE: CMS social workers go door-to-door trying to get students back into class
EducationNC: North Carolina teachers finish science of reading training
DPI Bulletin: N.C. Summer Meals Programs Offer Free Food, Fitness, Farm to Summer, Fun for Kids
EducationNC: Want to access summer meals? Here’s how
Associated Press: More young people could be tried as adults in North Carolina under bill heading to governor
EducationNC: This family child care provider is working to ensure ‘an invisible workforce’ is seen — and preserved
Education NC: NC Rural Center’s new report documents rural population ‘resurgence’
EducationNC: Perspective | North Carolina can’t afford to lose its LGBTQ+ teachers

National News
The Washington Post: Billions in taxpayer dollars now go to religious schools via vouchers
The 74: The Math of School Closures: How District Leaders Should Navigate the Perfect Storm of Budget Shortfalls & Declining Student Enrollment
EducationWeek: When Does a School Closure Become Discriminatory?
EducationWeek: How One School Fosters Belonging for Students With Disabilities
The 74: To Engage Students in Math, Educators Try Connecting it to Their Culture
The 74: From Bus Stops to Laundromats, Cities Embrace Play to Help Kids Learn
K-12 Dive: Schools ‘first to feel the impact’: Border policy debate spills into K-12
The 74: Exclusive: Sales Skyrocket for Phone Pouch Company as In-School Bans Spread

House: Health
Tuesday, June 11, 10:00 AM
Click here to stream.
The bills being heard include HB 980: Medical Information/Foster Care/Minors.

House: Education – K-12
Tuesday, June 11, 1:00 PM
Click here to stream.
The bills being heard include SB 90: Searches of Student’s Person (PCS to be considered).

Senate: Education/Higher Education
Wednesday, June 12, 11:00 AM
Click here to stream.
The bills being heard include HB 207: Mandatory Training Contributing to CEUs (PCS for H207).

Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates.

Keep reading to catch up on recent federal education business, statewide and national education articles, and upcoming committees.

Highlights for the week of May 20^th include:

• A House appropriations subcommittee held a hearing to discuss healthy food access in and out of schools, as well as the potential for health-forward restrictions of federally funded child nutrition programs.

Highlights for the week of May 27^th:

• The House and Senate were in recess this week.

To view the full May 20^th report and others, click here.

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

State News
WRAL: NC teacher turnover is rising. Why experts say pay alone isn’t the solution
EducationNC: Perspective | Building community engagement and transforming school culture with shared leadership
EducationNC: A love letter to public education: Meet 2024 N.C. Principal of the Year Beckie Spears
WRAL: NC Democrats say daycares will shut down unless legislature spends big
EducationNC: Breaking down silos and building universal pre-K: Lessons from McDowell County Schools mission to put ‘students first’
EducationNC: How North Carolina is working to get early learners interested in engineering
The 74: Forget Memorization: A Concrete Understanding of Math Better for Young Learners
EducationNC: How N.C. school districts are working to increase FAFSA completions
WNCN: Wake County Schools considers policy changes based on CROWN Act
WXII 12: WS/FCS board of education vote unanimously to bring Narcan to classrooms
Associated Press: City’s red-light camera program was lawful after all, North Carolina justices say
WLOS: Transylvania County Schools set to lose multiple positions after loss of COVID funding
WFAE: Myers Park senior shares the tail-wagging love that got her through dark times
WRAL: As state government vacancies remain high, NC lawmakers look for solutions

National News
Center for American Progress: Investing in School Libraries and Librarians To Improve Literacy Outcomes
EducationWeek: Why Special Education Teachers Quit—and What Schools Are Doing About It
The 74: One-Third of Teachers Have Already Tried AI, Survey Finds
K-12 Dive: Roughly 25% of teachers see more harm than good in using AI in K-12
Higher Ed Dive: The STEM pipeline begins in high school
Wall Street Journal: The Massive Immigration Wave Hitting America’s Classrooms
The 74: For Stronger Readers in Third Grade, Start Building Knowledge in Preschool
AP News: Quality early education can be expensive or hard to find. Home visits bring it to more families
The Hechinger Report: Day care, baby supplies, counseling: Inside a school for pregnant and parenting teens

House: Local Government
Tuesday, June 4, 10 AM
Click here to stream.
The bills currently scheduled to be heard include HB 1058: Jackson Co Bd of Ed Elections to Nov and HB 1067: Employee Housing/Durham County (=S905).

House: Health
Tuesday, June 4, 10 AM
Click here to stream.
The bills currently scheduled to be heard include HB 4: Increasing Engagement in STEM Grant Program.

Currently, no other schedules have been released for education-related committees next week. Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates.

• 175 House bills and 148 Senate bills have been filed during the short session.
• Of those bills, about 20% are related to education.
• In total (including bills from the long session), about 130 education bills are currently eligible to be heard during the rest of the biennium.
• 2 bills passed into law during the first 30 days: one statewide and one local. Respectively, SB 508: 2023 Budget Tech/Other Corrections and HB 31: Rowan-Salisbury Board of Educ. Elections are now SL 2024-1 and S.L. 2024-2.

Note that the Senate Education/Higher Education and House Education – K-12 Committees have not yet met, and, to date, no meetings have been scheduled.

Read on to learn more about education bills, federal education report topics, statewide and national K-12 articles, and resources.

Bills Sent to the Senate from the House:
HB 988: Retirement Technical Corrections (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Makes conforming changes across TSERS, LGERS, Legislative Retirement System, and State Health Plan to ensure consistent reading of the statutes administered by the Department of State Treasurer.

HB 989: Retirement Service Purchase Rewrite Part III (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Last part of a multi-year effort to recodify and standardize the remaining service purchase types across all retirement systems (excluding military service purchases).

HB 1020: Retirement Admin. Changes Act of 2024 (Primary Sponsor: Representative Carson Smith, R-Pender)

• Makes minor administrative changes to the operation of the Retirement Systems and administering retirement benefits by expanding eligibility for participation in the 401(k) plan for part-time employees in accordance with SECURE Act 2.0.

Moving in the House:
HB 900 Substitute Certain CIHS Partners/Wake. (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Erin Paré, R-Wake; Sarah Crawford, D-Wake; Ya Liu, D-Wake; Maria Cervania, D-Wake)

Passed its first House committee and has one more committee to go until it can reach the House floor.

• Requires the State Board of Education to approve the substitute of a new partner higher education institution for the Wake Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academies, beginning as early as the 2024-2025 school year.
• Appropriates recurring funds to the Department of Instruction for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to cover a shortfall of tuition payments for Cooperative Innovative High Schools.

Read more about this bill on WRAL here.

May 20, 2024 Topics From the Weekly Report Include:

• The House Appropriations Committee is working on the budget process and released allocation amounts.
• The White House held a summit on the need to address chronic absenteeism and announced an initiative to provide $250 million in grants. To learn more, click here to read the White House fact sheet. The deadline for notice of intent to apply is June 6^th. To apply for grants, click here.
• The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), held a hearing to examine the Health and Human Services budget. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the proposed funding for upwards of 750,000 Head Start slots, increased wages for Head Start educators, and universal preschool for all four-year-olds. Chairwoman Foxx referred to the proposed document as a “tax and spend monstrosity,” frustrated that it overlooks issues such as fentanyl, the border, and child trafficking. Democrats focused their attention on the youth mental health crisis, the opioid epidemic, lowering drug costs, and protecting the reproductive rights of women. Click here to listen to the hearing.

Click here to read any of the above stories in full and explore other headlines from the federal education report.

Federal Grant Reminder:

This is a reminder about the upcoming submission deadline for the US Department of Energy’s 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize, which will award $180 million to school districts across the country engaging in strategic partnerships to build capacity and implement energy upgrades at K-12 schools, lowering energy use and costs, improving indoor air quality, and fostering healthier learning environments. These grants will invest in school facilities that demonstrate the need for both energy improvements and financing, with a focus on Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) that qualify as disadvantaged and/or rural.

The deadline to apply for the grants is Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 5pm EDT. Click here for more information on how to apply.

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

State News
News & Observer: Middle class and wealthy NC families are those waiting for private school voucher funding
Associated Press: Moms for Liberty to spend over $3 million targeting presidential swing state voters
EducationNC: Perspective | Forging futures: Increasing graduation rates for students in foster care
WFAE: School buildings tell stories about our changing world
Cardinal & Pine: Op-Ed: For Latinos, ‘parent’s rights’ should be about support and respect
NC Insider: High demand for free period products, little funding available
EducationNC: North Carolina community colleges expand programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities
EducationNC: National survey finds supportive communities make a difference for LGBTQ+ youth

National News       
Brookings: How US employers and educators can build a more nimble education system with multiple paths to success
Associated Press: 70 years ago, school integration was a dream many believed could actually happen. It hasn’t
The Daily Yonder: Rural Schools Look for Ways to Bring More Multilingual Education into the Curriculum
The 74: Over Half of States Sue to Block Biden Title IX Rule Protecting LGBTQ+ Students
WFAE: These teens were missing too much school. Here’s what it took to get them back
New York Times: How Free School Meals Went Mainstream
Homeroom (The Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education): Healthier Foods, Healthier Minds
Bellwether: The Edge of Seventeen: What Does It Mean To Be a Young Adult in America in 2024?

We are proud to present the newest section of the NCSBA Legislative Update: Resources! This section will be populated by resources directly related to school board members and/or your district’s efforts. The resources section will be included whenever we have new materials to share. *Please note that inclusion of a resource does not denote endorsement.*

The following links are additional resources related to school boards and K-12 education.

NCSU NC School Connectivity Initiative: NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Program
North Carolina Department of Public Safety: New state website offers one-stop-shop for N.C. community climate change resources

House: Local Government
Wednesday, May 29, Immediately After Session
Click here to stream.
The bills being heard include HB 1058: Jackson Co Bd of Ed Elections to Nov and HB 1067: Employee Housing/Durham County (=S905).

Currently, no other schedules have been released for education-related committees next week. Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates.

Stay informed throughout the week with our posts on X (formerly Twitter). Click here to follow and explore our page.

• This 60-page bill became law with no changes since the legislative update we provided last week. The bill passed 110-6 in the House and 39-2 in the Senate.
• K-12 portions of the bill include:
  • SECTION 1.8 Authorizes Stokes County Schools (SCPS) to submit an application for a needs-based capital grant without approval from the county board of commissioners. Authorizes SCPS to provide matching funds and to enter into any agreements with a grant award.
  • SECTION 2.4 Reinstates the reporting requirement for the Transportation Reserve Fund for Homeless and Foster Children.
  • SECTION 2.8A.(c,g,h) Establishes a definition for a school resource officer (SRO), which includes being assigned to one or more schools at least 20 hours/week for more than 12 weeks per calendar year. Also requires SROs to comply with training requirements before a police chief or sheriff’s office can sign an agreement.
  • SECTION 2.8C.(a) Modifies the Career Development Plan requirements in middle school.
  • SECTION 2.8D.(a) Contractors hired by LEAs are eligible for certain bonuses during the pandemic regardless of the funding source.
  • SECTION 2.14.(a) Clarifies that forgiveness criteria for the Teaching Fellows Program includes serving as a teacher in a qualifying license area.

Local Bills That Became Law:
HB 31 (S.L. 2024-2): Rowan-Salisbury Board of Educ. Partisan (Primary Sponsor: Representative Harry Warren, R-Rowan)

• Passed the House 70-38.
• Establishes a voter referendum for the November 2024 general election on making the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education elections partisan.
• If approved by Rowan County voters, the partisan elections become effective December 1, 2026.

Sent To House for Concurrence:
HB 834 Juvenile Justice Modifications (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Ted Davis Jr., R-New Hanover; Neal Jackson, R-Moore)

• Passed the Senate 41-4.
• SECTION 4.(b) Prohibits principals from having automatic suspension policies and requires them to make decisions on a case-by-case basis during a student’s pending delinquency status.

State News
EducationNC: Education bills to follow in North Carolina
WFAE: Conservative school vouchers supporter says NC expansion goes too far
WRAL: Smaller surplus could lead to funding change for school vouchers, Moore says. Rebates and video gambling uncertain
News & Observer: ‘Out of hand.’ Add rules if NC private schools get $463M in new voucher money, CMS says
WFAE: CMS board eyes four-day weeks if the state won’t grant calendar flexibility
EducationNC: New charter school report shows growing student waitlist in North Carolina
State Affairs: NC Department of Instruction aims to simplify ESSER reporting for school units
WRAL: NC schools are struggling with segregation 70 years after Brown v. Board, new research shows
WUNC: Study finds North Carolina public schools are growing more segregated
EducationNC: Ask & Answer | What you need to know about school district fund balances
EducationNC: News roundup: Teacher pay rankings, pandemic recovery, special education funding, and more
WRAL: End-of-grade tests: Everything you need to know about these annual exams
News & Observer: NC school district removed books featuring gay parents. It now faces federal complaint.
News & Observer: Groups seeks legislation to punish NC public schools for books that some call ‘obscene’
EducationNC: Telehealth is helping this school district fight chronic absenteeism and improve mental health
EducationNC: The Innovation Project honors visionary leaders and districts
EducationNC: This Is Possible: A short documentary about bringing the world into the classroom
Border Belt Independent: SparkNC brings a new way of learning to Scotland High School
EducationNC: EdExplainer | This dashboard has everything you need to know about arts education in NC. Here’s how to use it
WFDD: Crossnore receives $5M pledge for expansion campaign
EducationNC: Stable child care in Watauga County would add 300 employees to the local economy, study finds
WFDD: Yadkin pilot program offers solution to child care shortages in rural counties
EducationNC: Perspective | Advocating for the well-being and advancement of afterschool professionals

National News
K-12 Dive: Education Department boosts FAFSA outreach efforts to close completion gap
K-12 Dive: After-school programs expect to scale down with pandemic aid ending
Bellwether: Leveling the Landscape: An Analysis of K-12 Funding Inequities Within Metro Areas
The74: Safety or Censorship: Congress Rushes to Pass Broad Child Online Protection Laws
Education Week: How K-12 Leaders Can Better Manage Divisive Curriculum and Culture War Debates
U.S. Department of Education Press Release: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Reminds Schools of Their Legal Obligation to Address Discrimination Based on Shared Ancestry and Ethnic Characteristics
Associated Press: Day care prices aren’t getting better. So states are stepping in

Currently, no schedules have been released for education-related committees next week. Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates. Stay informed throughout the week with our posts on X (formerly Twitter). Click here to follow and explore our page.

Rob Black
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
rblack@ncsba.org

Silya Bennai
Advocacy Coordinator
NC School Boards Association
sbennai@ncsba.org

State News
WRAL: Cooper – Voucher Plan Shockingly Irresponsible
Carolina Journal: Fully Funding NC’s School Voucher Program Is a Good Investment
News & Observer: NC Votes To Shut Down Charter School Accused of Misspending Taxpayer Dollars
News & Observer: NC charter board votes to cut public money for financially troubled Kinston K-8 school
News & Observer: GOP Lawmakers Want To Make NC Public School Teachers Post All Lesson Plans Online
WRAL: Education Has Become Too Political, Focused On the Wrong Things, Outgoing NC Superintendent Truitt Says
WRAL: NC Gubernatorial Candidates Clash Over Whether Schools Need More Money
Education NC: Public School Forum Convenes Bipartisan Discussion on Education Ahead of 2024 Election 
WFAE: DPI At Odds With Education Gaming Company With Ties to GOP
WFAE: Fact Check – Is GOP Superintendent Candidate Right On Claims About School Safety?
Education NC: Rooted In Rural – Schools As Anchor Institutions
Education NC: Seeing School Districts As Big Business and Superintendents As CEOs 
News & Observer: This North Carolina school district is getting rid of all of its librarians

National News
Education Week: Will Biden’s New Loan-Forgiveness Plan Cast a Wider Net for Educators?
The74: Survey Finds Many Gen Zers Say School Lacks a ‘Sense of Purpose’ and Isn’t ‘Motivating’
K-12 Dive: Title IX lawsuits escalate: 15 states now suing
K-12 Dive: Public school spending rose, while revenues fell during pandemic
K-12 Dive: After-school programs expect to scale down with pandemic aid ending
The Washington Post: The unexpected explanation for why school segregation spiked

Currently, no other schedules have been released for education-related committees next week. Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates. Stay informed throughout the week with our posts on X (formerly Twitter). Click here to follow and explore our page.

Rob Black
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
rblack@ncsba.org

Silya Bennai
Advocacy Coordinator
NC School Boards Association
sbennai@ncsba.org