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NCSBA Legislative Update – April 13 2017

April 14, 2017 Ramona Powers

NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
APRIL 13, 2017

 



EASTER RECESS

Lawmakers returned home to their districts after Tuesday’s session for a week-long Easter recess.  The next floor votes in the House and Senate will occur Wednesday, April 19.  After that the next major date on the legislative calendar is April 27, which is the crossover date.  Crossover is the date by which statewide bills outside of those touching on spending or money-raising must pass one chamber or the other in order to remain eligible for the remainder of the 2017-18 biennium.  With crossover approaching there will likely be a great deal of legislative activity when lawmakers return.

ACTION NEEDED – SCH BD LAWSUIT AUTHORITY

HB 305, the measure stripping school boards of the authority to file legal challenges to local funding, is scheduled for a committee hearing when lawmakers return from Easter recess.  HB 305 is on the calendar for 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 19, in the House State and Local Government I Committee.

Please contact members of this committee (click here) and your local House members (click here) and ask them to OPPOSE HB 305.  Remind them how important it is that school boards keep this one mechanism that ensures checks and balances in the local education funding process.

 
Key Points to Communicate – School Board Lawsuit Authority/HB 305

 

1) NCSBA and the NC Association of County Commissioners agreed last year to have legislative staff study the local education funding dispute process and make some recommendations.  That study is still ongoing, so moving legislation right now would be premature.  The original agreement should be honored.

2) Eliminating local funding lawsuit authority raises the concern of how school boards are supposed to fulfill their Leandro obligation to provide an opportunity for a sound basic education on behalf of the State.  This is because school boards would no longer have a method to hold county commissioners accountable for insufficient funding levels.  Also, creating these roadblocks for school boards to advocate for sufficient funding could potentially invite student/parent lawsuits.

 

3) Only a small handful of education funding disputes have actually gone to trial.  Mediation has usually worked to resolve any funding disagreements. But it is the threat of legal action that creates the incentive for commissioners to come to the table. HB 305 removes this one check and balance on commissioners and says that if there is no agreement in mediation, the commissioners have the final word on funding.  This would make the mediation process essentially meaningless and there would be NO checks and balances between the two boards.

ACTION NEEDED – HOMESCHOOL ACCESS TO PUB SCHOOL SPORTS

There are indications that the Senate Education Committee could soon hold a hearing on SB 254, which requires LEAs to make its high school sports teams and extracurricular activities open to homeschooled students.

SB 254 also requires that if a public school student does not have a specific sport or extracurricular at his/her base high school, he/she must be allowed to participate in that sport/extracurricular at another public high school.

Please contact members of the Senate Education Committee (click here) as well as your own Senate members (click here) in opposition to SB 254.  Below are just some of the significant issues that could result from mandating public high school sports and extracurriculars be made open to non-enrolled students.  Make sure to communicate these points to your Senators.

 

Talking Points – Homeschool/Non-Enrolled Student Access to High School Sports

Residency accountability.  How can schools or school systems check into the “red flags” of residency for homeschooled students?  For example, a student assignment office might do “in home” visits if there are concerns about the student/parent/legal custodian living where they indicate is their residence.  Would the school system have the legal right to investigate or do an “in-home” visit if the student is homeschooled?

Competitive balance. Non-enrolled students playing on high school sports teams could dramatically alter and upset the competitive balance.  NCHSAA schools are classified into four different classes based on ADM at their school and play toward championships in those classifications.  But now a school may be drawing from a much larger base (students from other schools); would classifications have to be altered to accommodate that?

Insurance and liability.  It is unclear what the insurance/liability situation would be with SB 254. Would the student-athletes be covered even though they are not actually students at the given school?

Determining eligibility. In recent years the NCHSAA has tightened standards for checking eligibility, especially residency.  But the logistics of trying to do this for students not even enrolled at that school and are from a whole host of different high schools could be mind-boggling.  It is challenging enough for an athletic director to check eligibility for students at his or her school when the records are right there; this could mean trying to get attendance, academics and other information from a whole variety of other high schools and homeschools just for one athletic team’s eligibility.

School unity.  Students who playing sports at two different high schools would be playing AGAINST their school in one sport but playing FOR that school in another sport.  What effect would this have on school spirit?  What effect would it have on school spirit, team loyalty, etc., when students who do not attend the school are now part of one of the sports teams?

SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEXIBILITY

A second school calendar flexibility bill cleared the House on Monday.  Legislation giving authority to ALL LEAs to move their start date as early as August 15 to align with the start of their local community college- HB 375– passed 108-6.  Along with HB 389, which passed last week, the House has now sent the Senate two different kinds of calendar flexibility bills to consider.

Be sure to thank your House members who voted for the calendar flexibility bills.

HB 375 voting: click here
HB 389 voting: click here

To see which LEAs would be put into the HB 389 calendar pilot click here.

TEACHER BILLS PASS COMMITTEE

Several bills designed to help improve teacher recruitment and retention cleared the Senate Education Committee this week.  They have all been referred to other committees.  Among the bills the committee passed Tuesday were:

Senate Bill 448.  Authorizes school boards to contract with professors at universities and community colleges to teach core academic subjects in any grade.  The individual would not have to obtain a teaching license but would be subject to certain criteria established by the SBE.
Sponsors: Senators Chad Barefoot, R-Wake, Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus, Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth

Senate Bill 447.  Expands the teacher assistant tuition reimbursement pilot program to include 10 more LEAs.  This popular pilot reimburses TAs for up to $4,500 of the costs of tuition for pursing teacher licensure degrees.  This bill expands the pilot to Bertie, Duplin, Edenton-Chowan, Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash-Rocky Mount, Northampton, Tyrrell, Vance, Washington.  It also clarifies that TAs participating in this pilot can receive their salary and benefits while doing their student teaching.
Sponsors: Senators Chad Barefoot, R-Wake, Tom McInnis, R-Richmond, Erica Smith-Ingram, D-Northampton

SB 517 and SB 598 were also approved.  These are designed to improve the teacher preparation pipeline and encourage teacher ed graduates to stay in state.

NOTABLE BILLS FILED THIS WEEK

School Construction
HB 638.  This expands lottery advertising to generate additional lottery revenue.  Each LEA in Tier 1 and Tier 2 would be eligible for up to $10 million/year in additional school construction lottery funds through the increased revenue.
Sponsors:  Reps. Kevin Corbin, R-Cherokee, Terry Garrison D-Vance, Howard Hunter, D-Hertford, Larry Potts, R-Davidson

Low-Performing School Definition
HB 826.  This provides that if a D or F school/LEA is meeting expected growth, it cannot be considered “low-performing.”  This is an NCSBA legislative agenda priority.
Sponsors:  Reps. Dennis Riddell, R-Alamance, Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, Andy Dulin, R-Mecklenburg, John Fraley, R-Iredell

Opportunity Scholarship Accountability
HB 678.  Requires that a non-public school provide evidence of accreditation in order to be eligible to receive public funds through the state’s voucher program.  NCSBA’s legislative agenda suggests this as a method of putting additional accountability into the program.
Sponsor:  Rep. John Ager, D-Buncombe

School Bus Drivers
HB 641.  Sets aside funds to allow for school bus drivers to receive a raise of up to $2.00/hr.
Sponsor:  Rep. Beverly Boswell, R-Dare

MEDIA COVERAGE

K-3 Class Sizes: Phillip Price, former CFO of DPI, writes how any discussion about the K-3 class size issue needs to factor in how overall resources for public schools have declined.  Click here to read the editorial.

School Capital: Leanne Winner, NCSBA Director of Governmental Relations, and Kevin Leonard, NCACC Executive Director, were on the latest episode of Education Matters to talk about legislative proposals to help locals cope with the $8 billion in public school construction needs.  You can watch the conversation here.

BILLS

Action Bills:  Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.

New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.

UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Wednesday, April 19

10:00 AM
The House State and Local Government I Committee will meet and consider the following pertinent bill:
HB 305- School Boards Can’t Sue Counties

The House State and Local Government II Committee will meet and consider the following pertinent bill:
HB 482- County Comm. Role in School Bldg Acquisition

The Senate Health Care Committee will meet and consider the following pertinent bills:
SB 316- Suicide Prevention/Awareness School Personnel
SB 594- Family/Child Protection & Accountability Act

1:00 PM
The Senate Finance Committee will meet and consider the following pertinent bill:
SB 343- Increase Teacher Supplement/Electronic Notice

Thursday, April 20

9:00 AM
The House K-12 Education Committee will meet and consider the following bills:
HB 285- Suicide Prevention/Awareness School Personnel
HB 556- Office of Early Childhood Education
HB 634- Private Alternative Preparation

 

Leanne E. Winner
Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6686 direct dial

Bruce Mildwurf
Associate Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 606-3916 mobile

Richard Bostic
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6677 direct dial

Ramona PowersNCSBA Legislative Update – April 13 2017
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NCSBA Legislative Update – April 7 2017

April 7, 2017 Ramona Powers

NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
APRIL 7, 2017

 



LEGISLATOR SPRING BREAK/K-3 CLASS SIZE

Lawmakers are planning to leave Raleigh after this coming Tuesday’s legislative session to take a “spring break” for the Easter holiday. They will return to town a week later. If they do not take action on the K-3 class size issue on Monday or Tuesday of next week there will not be another opportunity to get something passed until they reconvene on Wednesday, April 19.

Click here to read a letter NCSBA sent to all Senators encouraging them to address the K-3 class size issue prior to leaving for break next week.

STUDENT LETTERS/HB 13

It has come to our attention that some elementary school classes are having their students write letters to their legislators asking them to support HB 13. Concerns are being raised around Jones Street that such activity may not be an appropriate use of classroom time. We advise you to check with your elementary principals to make sure this is not occurring in your schools.

SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEXIBILITY PASSES HOUSE

There was a lot of important action on school calendar flexibility this week. Two bills- HB 375 to give authority to ALL LEAs to have a start date aligned with their local community college as early as August 15 and HB 389 to set a pilot program to allow 20 LEAs to move the start date as early as the Monday closest to August 10- were discussed and given overwhelming support Thursday on the House floor. The calendar pilot bill moves on to the Senate. The community college calendar alignment bill received preliminary approval but won’t get a final vote until Monday. A House member objected to the bill on third reading.

To see which LEAs would be put into the HB 389 calendar pilot click here.

You can read more about the House debate on these bills here.

NOTABLE MEDIA COVERAGE/SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

Financing NC’s $8 billion backlog of school construction and renovation needs is being talked about on notable political and education TV shows. The topic was discussed by a panel of political commentators on a recent episode of NC Spin. You can watch that here (the discussion begins at the 20:10 mark).

The next episode of Education Matters, the Public School Forum’s weekly TV show, will also have a segment on this issue that features Leanne Winner, NCSBA Director of Governmental Relations alongside Kevin Leonard, Executive Director of the NC Association of County Commissioners. See below for information on air times of this episode.

Broadcast Information

Saturdays at 7:30PM WRAL-TV (Raleigh/Durham)
Sundays at 6:30 AM and Mondays at 3:00 PM on UNC-TV’s statewide channel
Online at https://www.ncforum.org

NOTABLE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY

Charter Schools/Fund 8/Capital Funding
SB 658, legislation requiring LEAs to share additional monies with charter schools was filed in the Senate this week. The charter school fund sharing bill is sponsored by Senators Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) and Chad Barefoot (R-Wake). It is essentially the same fund sharing language as the HB 539 bill that NCSBA fought last session, except this bill ALSO contains a provision allowing charters to access school capital funding.

Education Savings Accounts
SB 603. This is a bill to set up Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for students with disabilities in North Carolina. ESAs are part of the school voucher family except instead of having tax money go to a private school to cover tuition costs, ESAs allow parents to receive tax money directly (usually in the form of a debit card) that they can use to pay for various types of educational services. This ESA bill would only set up accounts for parents/guardians of students with disabilities, who would receive the average State per-pupil amount plus the exceptional children per-pupil funding amount.

Local Funding Disputes/Sch Bd Lawsuit Authority
The House version of legislation to strip school boards of their power to initiate lawsuits challenging local funding sufficiency (HB 305) was scheduled to be heard in a House committee Wednesday morning but it was later removed from the calendar prior to the start of the meeting. HB 305 could still emerge at any time.

BILLS

Action Bills:  Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.

New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.

UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Monday, April 10

5:00 PM
The Senate will convene for session.

6:00 PM
The House will convene for session. The following notable bills are on the House calendar:

HB 265- Partisan Elections/Certain School Boards
HB 293- Onslow/Pender Bd. Of Ed/Partisan Election
HB 520- Union Co. Bd. Of Ed/Partisan Election
HB 375- School Cl. Flex/CC

 

 

Tuesday, April 11

10:00 AM
The House K-12 Education Committee will meet and consider the following bills:
HB 149- Students W/Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
HB 360- Harnett Co. Schools/Exam Window

1:00 PM
The House University Education Committee will meet and consider the following bills:
HB 532- Modify UNC Laboratory Schools

 

 

Leanne E. Winner
Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6686 direct dial

Bruce Mildwurf
Associate Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 606-3916 mobile

Richard Bostic
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6677 direct dial

Ramona PowersNCSBA Legislative Update – April 7 2017
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – March 31 2017

March 31, 2017 Ramona Powers
NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
MARCH 31, 2017

 



K-3 CLASS SIZES

There remains no resolution on the K-3 class size issue at this time.  We urge that your school district begin making contingency plans to implement the changes as scheduled if you have not already done so.  Be sure to share your contingency plans with your Senators.  Give them an idea of some of the key decisions you are going to have to make and what the timeframe is going to be.

Various news stories have been popping up in recent weeks about how school districts are readying themselves for the K-3 class size changes.

  • Some Wake County year-round schools are shifting students to different tracks in anticipation of meeting the new requirements: click here to read more
  • Winston-Salem/Forsyth is discussing the possibility of cutting TA positions to meet the class size mandate: click here to read more
  • Dr. Terry Stoops of the John Locke Foundation writes that the K-3 class size changes are likely to result in more long-term substitutes in public school classrooms:  click here

In addition to HB 13, there is now a second bill that has been filed to try to give LEAs relief from the coming class size requirements.  Senator Rick Horner, R-Nash, filed SB 541 this week.  It sets a 21 average and 24 individual K-3 class size limit for 2017-18, with the individual class size max dropping to 23 the following school year.  Teachers in K-3 classrooms that exceed the individual class size max would have to be given an additional supplement for each child over the max – paid by the LEA using only local funds.

Along with contingency plans, it is important to continue communicating the below points to your Senators in talking about the K-3 class size issue.

1) Whether the uncertainty on the class size issue has caused any delays in issuing planning guides to principals in your district for the 2017-18 school year.

2) Whether the uncertainty on the class size issue has been creating any issues in your district in contracting with personnel for the 2017-18 school year.

3) Whether there are concerns in your district about the ability to find certified teachers to fill the additional classrooms from the class size changes.  Let them know that having long-term substitutes to fill these vacancies is not an educationally sound solution.

HOUSE BILL 2

State leaders reached a compromise on repealing and replacing House Bill 2.  The compromise bill moved through the General Assembly Thursday afternoon and was signed hours later by Gov. Cooper.  Click here to read the compromise.

The new law contains the following language pertaining to local governments:

No local government in this State may enact or amend an ordinance regulating private employment practices or regulating public accommodations.

If you have questions about this law please consult your local board attorney.

SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEXIBILITY

On Tuesday a pair of school calendar flexibility bills passed the House K-12 Education Committee.

1) HB 375 allows ALL LEAs to align the start of their school year with that of their local community college, but no earlier than August 15.  Reps. Jonathan Jordan, R-Ashe, Craig Horn, R-Union, Linda Johnson, R-Cabarrus, and Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, are the sponsors.  After it passed committee, HB 375 was put on the House calendar for the next day but then withdrawn.  It appears that leadership is going to wait until the Commerce Committee takes action on a calendar flexibility pilot bill (HB 389 see below) before taking up HB 375 on the House floor.  The intention is to bring the bills up on the House floor at the same time.

2) HB 389 creates a pilot program for 20 LEAs to set the beginning of their calendars no earlier than August 10.  It is sponsored by Reps. Harry Warren, R-Rowan, Craig Horn, R-Union, Linda Johnson, R-Cabarrus, and Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson.  HB 389 has been referred to the House Commerce Committee and is on the committee’s calendar for Wednesday, April 5 at 8:30 AM.

Click here to see which LEAs would be put into this pilot.

You can read about the committee hearing at which these bills were approved here.

Please be contacting House members this weekend in support of HB 375 and HB 389.  Remind them of the issues that LEAs struggle with under the current calendar start date, particularly the problem of high school exams administered after winter break and the burdens for students when high school fall and spring semesters are out of alignment with local community college fall and spring semesters.
Local Calendar Flexibility Bills

53 local calendar flexibility bills have been filed for over 90 LEAs.  Click here to see the flexibility bills that have been filed.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION/CAPITAL FUNDING

In conjunction with outside partners, NCSBA has worked with key legislators to get a number of bills filed giving LEAs a menu of options for addressing school capital needs.  Below is a list of bills that have been filed this session to assist LEAs with school capital needs.

Public School Bond Issue
SB 542 places a statewide bond on the ballot for public school construction.  If approved by the voters the bond would be $1.9 billion.  Funds would be distributed per the following formula:

$760 million (40%) allocated by ADM (local match required)

$570 million (30%) allocated by Low-Wealth status

$285 million (15%) allocated to High-Growth districts (local match required)

$285 million (15%) allocated to districts in small counties

The bond would provide a significant one-time infusion of school capital funding for the first time in over 20 years.  If SB 542 passes the bond would be placed on the November 2018 ballot.
Sponsors:  Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph; Sen. Valerie Foushee, D-Orange; Sen. Rick Gunn, R-Alamance

Local Option Revenues
HB 333, HB 437, SB 166 would authorize counties to levy an additional local sales tax of up to one-half cent to raise revenue for school construction needs or supplement teacher salaries.  The additional local sales tax would have to be approved by voters in the county via referendum.
HB 333 Sponsors: Rep. Susan Martin, R-Pitt; Rep. Howard Hunter, D-Hertford; Rep. Sam Watford, R-Davidson; Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln
HB 437 Sponsors: Rep. David Rogers, R-Rutherford
SB 166 Sponsors: Sen. Shirley Randleman, R-Wilkes

Lottery Funding
HB 481 restores statutory directives for how lottery funds are to be allocated, including the requirement that 40% go to school capital.  A provision in the 2013 budget removed all lottery allocation guidelines from statute and made the annual distribution purely a decision of the General Assembly.  Putting these directives back into statute would be a starting point for moving the school construction allocation back to the lottery’s original promise of 40%.
Sponsors:  Rep. James Boles, R-Moore; Rep. Allen McNeill, R-Randolph

SB 234 (Part 4) creates additional lottery revenue through expanded advertising and uses the additional revenue to fund school capital needs in Tier I and II counties (up to $10 million annually in any one county).  This is in addition to the regular allotment of capital funds that come from the lottery.
Sponsors:  Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph; Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY/A-F

Two weeks after passing legislation to equalize how performance and growth count towards a school’s A-F grade, the House on Thursday sent the Senate a separate, alternative option for revising NC’s accountability system.

HB 458 proposes an idea for restructuring the A-F grading system to have a school’s performance and growth results broken out separately and assigned their own separate A-F grades.  The sponsors argue that this could be a more transparent way of doing A-F grades instead of having performance and growth blended to produce one grade.  HB 458 does not impact the 50/50 bill the House passed two weeks ago but rather gives the Senate another option to consider in reforming the accountability system.  HB 458 also makes the necessary changes to the accountability system to ensure it is aligned with the Every Student Succeeds Act.


OTHER NOTABLE EDUCATION BILLS FILED THIS WEEK

Local Funding Disputes/Sch Bd Lawsuit Authority
SB 531 is the Senate’s version of legislation to strip school boards of their power to initiate lawsuits challenging local funding sufficiency.  The House version has already been filed (HB 305).  A report on the local education funding dispute resolution process is expected to be released by May 1.
Sponsors of SB 531:  Sen. Tommy Tucker, R-Union; Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick

Charter Schools/Local Funding
SB 562.  This bill would disentangle the local funding relationship between local school boards and charter schools.  County commissioners would appropriate local monies directly to charter schools with local students enrolled instead of the local school board having to cut a check to the charter.  This is an item on the NCSBA legislative agenda for 2017-18.
Sponsors of SB 562:  Sen. Tommy Tucker, R-Union; Sen. David Curtis, R-Lincoln; Sen. Tom McInnis, R-Richmond

Opportunity Scholarships
SB 483 attempts to put more accountability into the Opportunity Scholarship school voucher program by raising the standards of assessments that must be administered to students attending the school through a voucher and also ensuring more voucher schools publicize data about the performance of their voucher students.
Sponsors:  Sen. Erica Smith-Ingram, D-Northampton; Sen. David Curtis, R-Lincoln; Sen. Ben Clark, D-Hoke

BILLS

Action Bills:  Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.

New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.

UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Monday, April 3

1:30 PM
The Senate will convene for session.

7:00 PM
The House will convene for session.

Tuesday, April 4

10:00 AM
The House K-12 Education Committee will meet and consider the following bills:
HB 117- Protect Students in Schools
HB 149- Students W/Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
HB 132- High Achieving Tuition Scholarships

10:00 AM
The House State and Local Government Committee will meet and consider the following bills:
HB 447- Lexington City Bd. Of Ed./Change to Election

 

 

Leanne E. Winner
Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6686 direct dial

Bruce Mildwurf
Associate Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 606-3916 mobile

Richard Bostic
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6677 direct dial

          
Ramona PowersNCSBA Legislative Update – March 31 2017
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – March 24 2017

March 25, 2017 Ramona Powers
NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
MARCH 24, 2017

 



ACTION NEEDED/K-3 CLASS SIZES

It is critical that Senator(s) be contacted this weekend on the K-3 class size issue/HB 13.  Please communicate with your Senate member(s) this weekend and press upon them the serious urgency of getting the K-3 class size issue resolved.  Click here to find your Senator(s).

Below are three points to specifically talk about with your Senator(s).

1) Whether the uncertainty on the class size issue has caused any delays in issuing planning guides to principals in your district for the 2017-18 school year.

2) Whether the uncertainty on the class size issue has been creating any issues in your district in contracting with personnel for the 2017-18 school year.

3) Whether there are concerns in your district about the ability to find certified teachers to fill the additional classrooms from the class size changes.  Let them know that having long-term substitutes to fill these vacancies is not an educationally sound solution.

GUNS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

HB 174- Concealed Carry/Church School Prop., is a measure moving in the House that aims to allow concealed carry permit holders the right to carry a concealed firearm into a church service on property that also contains a church school.  Some lawmakers raised concerns during committee Wednesday that the language as drafted could also be read to create a right to carry a concealed firearm on the property of public schools that rent out space to religious groups for church services.  This could lead to some public schools choosing to discontinue those leases.  NCSBA has been working with the bill sponsor to get that language clarified as it moves to the House floor next week.

The committee hearing on HB 174 produced some tense moments as one member objected to having the bill approved before resolving the uncertainty about its applicability to public school property.  You can read about the committee hearing and watch a video here.

EDUCATION BILLS WITH MOVEMENT THIS WEEK

School Calendar Flexibility
Two school calendar flexibility bills have been scheduled for a hearing in the House K-12 Education Committee next week.  The bills are:

1) HB 389 creates a pilot program for 20 LEAs to begin the school year no earlier than August 10.  It is sponsored by Reps. Harry Warren, R-Rowan, Craig Horn, R-Union, Linda Johnson, R-Cabarrus, and Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson.  Click here to see which LEAs would be put into this pilot.

2) HB 375 would allow ALL LEAs to align the start of their school year with that of their local community college, but no earlier than August 15.  Reps. Jonathan Jordan, R-Ashe, Craig Horn, R-Union, Linda Johnson, R-Cabarrus, and Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, are the sponsors.

The meeting begins at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 28.


Youth Suicide Prevention
HB 285 is a measure that directs local school boards to establish staff awareness/prevention training programs and risk referral protocols for middle/high school students at risk of suicide.  Boards could either develop their own local programs that follow certain guidelines or adopt programs developed by the State Board.  The programs would have to be in place by the 2018-19 school year under the current version of HB 285, which cleared one House committee this week and will be taken up next by the House K-12 Education Committee.  NCSBA has worked with the bill sponsors and they have incorporated some of our suggested changes.

HB 285 is sponsored by Reps. Greg Murphy, R-Pitt, Jon Hardister, R-Guilford, Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, and Josh Dobson, R-McDowell.

NC Final Exams
The House passed a bill this week to eliminate the NC Final Exams, the Analysis of Student Work process, and all locally developed measures for measuring how a teacher contributes to student growth.  HB 90 is sponsored by Reps. Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes, Kyle Hall, R-Stokes, and Pat Hurley, R-Randolph.


Third Grade Teacher Bonuses
SB 169 cleared the Senate chamber this week.  This bill ensures that those teachers who taught 3rd grade last year, placed in either the top 25% of state or local reading growth scores, and then were asked to move to another grade level will still be able to get the bonus awards that were distributed in January.  SB 169 now goes to the House.

RURAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY DAY

There will be a Rural Education Advocacy Day taking place next week at the State government complex.  Click here for a flyer with more information about the event.

BILLS

Action Bills:  Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.

New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.


UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Monday, March 27

7:00 PM
The House and Senate will convene for session.

Tuesday, March 28

10:00 AM
The House K-12 Education Committee will meet and consider the following bills:

HB 389- School Calendar Flexibility Pilot Program

HB 375- School Cal. Flex/CC
HB 450- Future Ready Student Act

1:00 PM
The House University Education Committee will meet and consider the following bill:

HB 339- North Carolina Teaching Fellows

 

 

Leanne E. Winner
Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6686 direct dial

Bruce Mildwurf
Associate Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919) 606-3916 mobile

Richard Bostic
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
(919)747-6677 direct dial

          
Ramona PowersNCSBA Legislative Update – March 24 2017
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Education Among Focus Topics at State of the State

March 14, 2017 Ramona Powers

Gov. Roy Cooper delivered his first State of the State speech to a joint session of the General Assembly. Public education was one of the topics upon which the governor focused.

http://www.wral.com/cooper-gop-outline-different-visions-for-nc/16582865/

 

Ramona PowersEducation Among Focus Topics at State of the State
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NCSBA Legislative Update – March 10, 2017

March 10, 2017 Ramona Powers

Legislative Update
March 10, 2017

SCHOOL BOARD LOCAL FUNDING LAWSUIT AUTHORITY

Four House members filed legislation on Thursday eliminating school boards’ ability to file litigation challenging local funding sufficiency.  HB 305 is identical to the bill that the House voted down in 2015.  It is sponsored by Reps. Debra Conrad, R-Forsyth, Larry Potts, R-Davidson, Carl Ford, R-Rowan, and Michael Wray, D-Northampton.  Three of the four sponsors are former county commissioners.

Last session, NCSBA and the NC Association of County Commissioners agreed to have the General Assembly study the current process for resolving education funding disputes between school boards and county commissioners.  This study is currently underway and the final report is due by May 1.  NCSBA is asking lawmakers to hold off on hearing HB 305 until this report’s findings and recommendations are released.


SCHOOL CALENDAR BILL UPDATE

As of March 10:

– 41 local bills have been filed giving various types of calendar flexibility to 74 school systems.
Local calendar flexibility bills filed in the Senate:  12
Local calendar flexibility bills filed in the House:  29

– 1 statewide bill allows all LEAs to begin school no earlier than August 10 (HB 53 sponsored by Reps. Cody Henson, Kevin Corbin, Mitch Setzer, and Michele Presnell).
Click here to see if a calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA.


FUNDING/SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION & SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS 

A Senate bill filed this week would put new lottery dollars towards two of the most pressing challenges facing LEAs- school capital and salaries for school-based administrators.  SB 234 is sponsored by Senators Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, Harry Brown, R-Onslow, and Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell.  The bill’s two components are as follows.

SB 234 School Construction Monies

Up to $100 million in new school capital lottery dollars would be put into a special fund each fiscal year, to be distributed ONLY to Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties (all but 20 of the counties in the state).  Individual counties would be eligible for no more than $10 million each fiscal year.  This would be in addition to the regular school construction lottery allocation.

The bill would give the State Superintendent a great deal of power to determine who gets the new funding.  While Tier 1 counties would have to receive first priority, the other criteria for distributing the funding would include things like total need compared to tax base, high debt-to-tax ratio, and type of individual construction projects.

Counties that are awarded these monies would also have to put up a local match.

To see which counties are considered Tier 1, 2, and 3 click here.

SB 234 School- Based Administrator Funding

Lottery Block Grants for Principal Pay
LEAs would receive lottery dollars for principal salaries in 2017-18 in the form of a block grant of that district’s average 16-17 principal salary plus 7%.  Local superintendents would determine each principal’s salary, except that no principal could make less than they earned in 2016-17.

Lottery Principal Bonus Program
There would be $6.7 million in lottery funds set aside for principal bonuses.  All principals would get a one-time $2,600 bonus in 2017-18 and then principals selected by superintendents would receive an additional $1,000 performance-based bonus.

Assistant Principal Pay
The assistant principal salary schedule would track the “A” teacher salary schedule plus an additional 13%.

Click here to read more about the bill and to watch a press conference from the bill sponsors.

SCHOOL GRADES/GROWTH

A House bill has been filed to give growth more credit in the calculation of school A-F grades.  The bill is HB 322, sponsored by Reps. Linda Johnson, R-Cabarrus, Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes, and Craig Horn, R-Union.  HB 322 would make the growth and performance county 50/50 in the calculation of A-F grades.


K-3 CLASS SIZE FIX

Please continue to contact your Senator(s) in support of HB 13.  Click here to find your Senator(s).

As you are talking about HB 13 with your Senator(s) an important point to remember is that the General Assembly has invested nearly $200 million since 2011 with the intent of lowering early grade class sizes.  HB 13 recognizes this investment while preserving flexibility to generate dollars for specialty teachers.

Remember you need to be prepared in your 2017-18 local budget requests to ask for both the current expense and capital funding necessary to implement the scheduled changes to K-3 class size averages.  We suggest that the needed funds be broken out and shown as a separate line-item in your local budget request.  This will put a public spotlight on what the changes to K-3 class size averages are costing LEAs.  Please also share with us the monetary impact of the K-3 class size changes in your district.

Talking Points on HB 13

HB 13 would:

a) Provide substantial relief from the drastic K-3 class size changes that are set to take effect this coming school year.

b) Give LEAs the flexibility to have a differential of 3 between the funded and average classroom teacher ratios starting in 2017-18 for K-3, which has been the historical practice.  The differential of 3 for average class sizes returns 75% of the flexibility that is allowed (not necessarily used) this school year.

While understanding that HB 13 is not a perfect solution to the K-3 class size issue, remember that if nothing passes on this districts will be forced to equalize the funded and average ratios in 2017-18 which could lead to (i) drastic cuts in art, music, and physical education teaching positions in K-3; (ii) an increase in class sizes in grades 4-12; or (iii) a funding hole that would need to be filled by an infusion of local dollars.

BILLS

Action Bills:  Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.

New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.


UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Monday, March 13

7:00 PM
Governor Roy Cooper will deliver the State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly.

Ramona PowersNCSBA Legislative Update – March 10, 2017
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NCSBA Legislative Update – March 3, 2017

March 3, 2017 Ramona Powers

Legislative Update
March 3, 2017

K-3 CLASS SIZE FIX 

Please continue to contact your Senator(s) in support of HB 13.  Click here to find your Senator(s).

As you are talking about HB 13 with your Senator(s) an important point to remember is that the General Assembly has invested nearly $200 million since 2011 with the intent of lowering early grade class sizes.  HB 13 recognizes this investment while preserving flexibility to generate dollars for specialty teachers.

Remember you need to be prepared in your 2017-18 local budget requests to ask for both the current expense and capital funding necessary to implement the scheduled changes to K-3 class size averages.  We suggest that the needed funds be broken out and shown as a separate line-item in your local budget request.  This will put a public spotlight on what the changes to K-3 class size averages are costing LEAs.  Please also share with us the monetary impact of the K-3 class size changes in your district.

Talking Points on HB 13

HB 13 bill would:

a) Provide substantial relief from the drastic K-3 class size changes that are set to take effect this coming school year.

b) Give LEAs the flexibility to have a differential of 3 between the funded and average classroom teacher ratios starting in 2017-18 for K-3, which has been the historical practice.  The differential of 3 for average class sizes returns 75% of the flexibility that is allowed (not necessarily used) this school year.

While understanding that HB 13 is not a perfect solution to the K-3 class size issue, remember that if nothing passes on this districts will be forced to equalize the funded and average ratios in 2017-18 which could lead to (i) drastic cuts in art, music, and physical education teaching positions in K-3; (ii) an increase in class sizes in grades 4-12; or (iii) a funding hole that would need to be filled by an infusion of local dollars.

SCHOOL CALENDAR BILLS

A few more local school calendar flexibility bills were introduced this week.  Below is an update on the status of school calendar flexibility bills in the General Assembly this session.

 

– 27 local bills giving various types of calendar flexibility to 53 school systems.
– 1 statewide bill-allows all LEAs to begin school no earlier than August 10 (HB 53 sponsored by Reps. Cody Henson, Kevin Corbin, Mitch Setzer, and Michele Presnell).
Click here to see if a calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA.

*Action Needed/Draft Local Calendar Bill*

If NO local calendar flexibility bills have yet been filed for your LEA:
Please ask members of your local delegation, particularly on the Senate side, to introduce a local bill giving your LEA calendar flexibility.  Use this draft local bill:  click here for the draft bill.

If a local calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA only in the House:
(1) Be sure to thank the bill sponsor(s).
AND
(2) Ask your Senate members to introduce a similar local calendar flexibility bill for your LEA in the Senate.
Use this draft local bill:  click here for the draft bill.

If a local calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA in the Senate:
Be sure to thank the bill sponsor(s).

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET

Governor Roy Cooper released his budget proposal this week.  Highlights of the governor’s budget proposals for public schools are as follows:

– 10% average salary increase for teachers over two years.
– 6.5% average salary increase for school-based administrators.
– The greater of 2% or $800 salary increase for non-certified staff, plus a $500 non-recurring bonus.
– $20 million in lottery funds to allow LEAs to hire additional school personnel.
– 4,700 additional NC Pre-K slots over two years.
– $10 million for additional interventions in low-performing schools.

You can read the full budget proposal here.


EQUAL ACCESS/TEBOW BILL

A bill has been filed in the Senate requiring LEAs to allow private, homeschool, and charter school students to play on sports teams and participate in extracurriculars at traditional high schools.  There would also be a requirement that public high school students without access to a particular sport or extracurricular be allowed to participate in that sport/activity at the closest public high school that offers it.

These bills have popped up around the country in recent years and are referred to as “Tebow” bills, named after the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow who was homeschooled in Florida but allowed to play football at his local high school.  There are currently 22 states that give homeschoolers a right to play on their local public school sports teams.

The Tebow bill that has been filed in the Senate is SB 159.  It is sponsored by Senators Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, Warren Daniel, R-Cleveland, and Chad Barefoot, R-Wake.  NCSBA opposes SB 159.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEE APPOINTMENTS

The House moved a local bill this week taking away two school boards’ authority to appoint community college Trustees.  These provisions were added into HB 12, which also strips the Governor of his authority to appoint certain community college Trustees.

HB 12 takes Trustee appointing authority away from the Cleveland and Davidson school boards.  The provision applying to Cleveland appeared in the bill when it came up in committee.  The Davidson provision was added via a House floor amendment from Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson.  This bill and another one dealing with community college Trustee appointments, HB 14, are now going to the Senate.  We will be keeping an eye on these bills in the Senate as it is possible additional school boards could be added and similarly stripped of their Trustee appointing power.  Up to 15 counties can be put into local bills.  If you are concerned about your board being added to either of these bills make sure to reach out to your Senator(s) and let them know.

OTHER ACTIVITY IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK

Two notable education bills were approved this week by the House K-12 Education Committee and the House chamber.

HB 87 would ensure that the State Board of Education submit the State Plan for complying with the new federal education law (ESSA) no earlier than seven business days before the latest allowable submission date.  Currently the latest allowable submission date is September 18, 2017.

HB 97 creates a new graduation requirement directing students to earn at least one credit in an arts education course in grades 6-12.  This would go into effect with students entering sixth grade in 2020 (those who are 2nd graders this school year).    

BILLS

Action Bills:  Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.

New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.


UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Monday, March 6

Both chambers will convene at 7:00 PM.

Ramona PowersNCSBA Legislative Update – March 3, 2017
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NCSBA Legislative Update – February 24, 2017

February 24, 2017 Ramona Powers

Legislative Update
February 24, 2017

K-3 CLASS SIZE FIX UPDATE/COMMITTEE HEARING

The K-3 class size issue was a major topic of discussion during a joint hearing of the House and Senate Education Appropriations Committees this week.  Outgoing DPI Chief Financial Officer Phillip Price explained to the committee that LEAs have had the flexibility to generate funds for specialty teachers since 1985.  Senator Jerry Tillman, R-Moore, explained that it frustrates him to see State funds intended for class size reductions used for program enhancement teachers and “others.”

“It’s sort of a running joke that we can go ahead and exceed that by five or six.  What is the punishment? Nothing.  So what holds you to doing exactly what the legislation says you will do and reduce those class sizes,” Sen. Tillman said.

Senator Chad Barefoot, R-Wake, one of the Co-Chairs of the Senate’s Education Committee, asked Mr. Price what guidance DPI or the State Board had given to school districts about how the K-3 class size funds could be used.

“The funding that goes to the school districts is funded in total…..it is the school district and local board’s responsibility to make sure they adhere to the state guidelines and the state laws and the State Board policies.  But they place the teachers and hire the combination of teachers that are necessary to meet the needs of their particular school system,” Mr. Price said.

This hearing served as a reminder of HB 13’s uncertain fate in the Senate.  As we advised last week, you need to be prepared in your 2017-18 local budget requests to ask for both the current expense and capital funding necessary to implement the scheduled changes to K-3 class size averages.  We suggest that the needed funds be broken out and shown as a separate line-item in your local budget request.  This will put a public spotlight on what the changes to K-3 class size averages are costing LEAs.  Please also share with us the monetary impact of the K-3 class size changes in your district.

HB 13 remains in the Senate Rules Committee.  Please continue to contact your Senator(s) in support of HB 13.  Click here to find your Senator(s).

Talking Points on HB 13

HB 13 bill would:

a) Provide substantial relief from the drastic K-3 class size changes that would otherwise take effect this upcoming school year.

b) Give LEAs the flexibility to have a differential of 3 between the funded and average classroom teacher ratios starting in 2017-18 for K-3, which has been the historical practice.  The differential of 3 for average class sizes returns 75% of what is allowed (not necessarily used) this school year.

While understanding that HB 13 is not a perfect solution to the K-3 class size issue, remember that if nothing passes on this districts will be forced to equalize the funded and average ratios in 2017-18 which could lead to (i) drastic cuts in art, music, and physical education teaching positions in K-3; (ii) an increase in class sizes in grades 4-12; or (iii) a funding hole that would need to be filled by an infusion of local dollars.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Several school calendar flexibility bills have already been filed a month into this 2017 legislative session.

  • 19 local bills giving various types of calendar flexibility to 41 school systems.
  •  1 statewide bill-allows all LEAs to begin school no earlier than August 10 (HB 53 sponsored by Reps. Cody Henson, Kevin Corbin, Mitch Setzer, and Michele Presnell).
  •  Click here to see if a calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA.

*Action Needed/Draft Local Calendar Bill*

If NO local calendar flexibility bills have yet been filed for your LEA:
Please ask members of your local delegation, particularly on the Senate side, to introduce a local bill giving your LEA calendar flexibility.  Use this draft local bill:  click here for the draft bill.

If a local calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA only in the House:
(1) Be sure to thank the bill sponsor(s).
AND
(2) Ask your Senate members to introduce a similar local calendar flexibility bill for your LEA in the Senate.
Use this draft local bill:  click here for the draft bill.

If a local calendar flexibility bill has been filed for your LEA in the Senate:
Be sure to thank the bill sponsor(s).


FUNDING FORMULA STUDY BILL PASSES HOUSE

Legislation creating a special committee to examine a restructuring of the State’s method for funding public schools passed the House this week.  HB 6 authorizes a special committee made up of lawmakers to study and develop a way to restructure the State’s K-12 funding system using the “weighted-student formula.”



BILLS

Action Bills:  Click here for the NCSBA-tracked bills that had action this week.

New Bills: Click here for a list of bills filed this week that NCSBA is tracking.


UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Monday, February 27

The Senate will convene at 4:00.

The House will convene at 7:00.

Tuesday, February 28

 

8:30 AM
The House Finance Committee will meet.

10:00 AM
The House K-12 Education Committee will meet.

Ramona PowersNCSBA Legislative Update – February 24, 2017
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K-3 Class Size Fix Bill Introduced

January 26, 2017 Ramona Powers

The News & Observer reports on the K-3 class size fix supported by NCSBA.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article128700729.html?platform=hootsuite

 

Ramona PowersK-3 Class Size Fix Bill Introduced
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