Legislative Updates & Alerts

NCSBA Legislative Update – November 3, 2023

The North Carolina General Assembly has officially concluded its long legislative session, spanning a remarkable 274 days since it began on January 24th. On October 25th, both the House and Senate jointly passed a resolution, Senate Bill 760, to adjourn the regular session. The House and Senate are set to reconvene on November 29-30, December 20-21, January 17-18, February 14-15, March 13-14, and April 10-11.

While the majority of legislative matters were resolved by early October, the House and Senate reconvened on October 24th and 25th for a final round of votes. During this time, they not only passed new Congressional and legislative district maps but also addressed a few remaining bills to bring their session to a close. Here are the details of those actions:

New Electoral Districts That Have Become Law

SB757/S.L.2023-145: Realign Congressional Districts (primary sponsors: Senators Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell; Warren Daniel, R-Burke; Paul Newton R-Cabarrus)
Passed House by 64-40 vote, Passed Senate by 28-18 vote
For a map of the new Congressional districts, click here.

SB758/S.L. 2023-146: Realign NC Senate Districts (primary sponsors: Senators Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell; Warren Daniel, R-Burke; Paul Newton R-Cabarrus)
Passed House by 63-40 vote, Passed Senate by 28-18 vote
For a map of the new NC Senate districts, click here.

HB898/S.L. 2023-149: House Redistricting Plan 2023/H898 Ed 2 (primary sponsors: Representatives Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, Sarah Stevens, R-Surry; Jason Saine, R-Lincoln)
Passed House by 62-44 vote, Passed Senate by 27-17 vote
For a map of the new NC House districts, click here.

Local Bills That Have Become Law

SB 68/S.L. 2023-143: Various Local Changes (primary sponsor: Senator Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson)

  • Passed House by 94-4 vote, Passed Senate by 45-0 vote
  • Includes a provision that outlines new boundaries for the Whiteville City Schools Administrative Unit
  • Language added to change Johnston County Board of Education elections to seven residency districts voted on by all eligible voters in the county

Bills Passed by the House

SB508: Budget Tech/Other Corrections
Passed House by 86-15 vote, Sent to Senate

  • Section 2.2: Delays the rulemaking deadline for early graduation requirements to February 15, 2024 from November 1, 2023 – as previously established in HB 259, Appropriations Act (SL 2023-134).
  • Section 2.4(a): Clarifies that the criteria for a qualifying teaching fellow for loan forgiveness also includes someone serving as a teacher in a qualifying licensure area.
  • Section 2.9: Modifies timelines for the Plasma Games Grant program – as previously established in HB 259, 2023 Appropriations Act (SL 2023-134).
  • Section 6.2(4): Directs $100,000 in nonrecurring funds to Wilson County School: Her Pride Afterschool Mentoring Program instead of to Wilson Pregnancy Center – as it was directed to in HB 259, 2023 Appropriations Act (SL 2023-134).
  • Section 7.1: Clarifies certain dates for the principal salary schedule outlined in HB 259, 2023 Appropriations Act (SL 2023-134).
The State Board of Education (Board) met Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. The Board approved the following:

  • Policy Amendment Restricting Authority for Local School Boards to Exceed Minimum Graduation Requirements
  • New Policy on Parents Bill of Rights Appeals
  • Emergency Rule on Parental Concern Hearings
  • Emergency Rule on Three-Year High School Graduation
  • Annual Report to NC General Assembly on Low Performing Districts and Schools
  • New Policy on Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind

Policy Amendment Restricting Authority for Local School Boards to Exceed Minimum Graduation Requirements:  The Board approved this policy which eliminates the specific authority for local boards of education to exceed the minimum requirements for graduation established by the SBE. Local Boards of Education may provide recommendations for additional requirements. This policy does not go into effect until the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. See the policy here.

Emergency Rule on Three-Year High School Graduation: To meet statutory obligations, the Board is required to develop a sequence of courses that shall be available to all local school administrative units to allow a student to complete the credits required for graduation in a three-year period. Additionally, the Board is required to adopt an emergency rule by November 1, 2023, to implement this requirement so that local school administrative units can advise students on the three-year graduation option beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. The Board approved the Emergency Rule on Three-Year High School Graduation. See the emergency rule here.

New Policy on Parents Bill of Rights Appeals:  The Board approved this policy which details the parental concern hearings procedure required by the Parents’ Bill of Rights. The policy describes the issues that may be appealed to the SBE under this policy and the hearing procedures for those issues. This item was before the SBE in October as a discussion item. See the policy here.

Emergency Rule on Parental Concern Hearings: To meet statutory obligations, the Board is required to adopt rules for parental concern hearings related to matters arising under Chapter 115C, Article 7B, Part 4 of the General Statues by January 30, 2024. The Board approved the proposed temporary rule and the text for the proposed temporary rule. See the emergency rule here.

Annual Report to NC General Assembly on Low Performing Districts and Schools: The Board approved a report that addresses the following:  districts and schools identified as low performing, effective improvement planning, and recommendations for additional legislation to improve student performance and increase local flexibility. See the report here and a presentation on the report here.

New Policy on Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind: The Board approved three new policies on Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind to Implement S.L. 2023-106: Parents’ Bill of Rights. See the three new policies here: (1) Parental Involvement Policy; (2) Parental Inspection of and Objection to Instructional Materials; (3) Surveys of Students

This month, the Board received several reports and discussed proposed changes to policy as follows:

NC Recovery Practitioners Network
Sixteen districts have been chosen to join this new network. The network is a partnership between NCDPI, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education, NC Collaborator, Harvard University, Georgetown University, and local district leaders. Researchers at these schools will work with DPI and local leaders to develop recovery-focused interventions and evaluation plans to address pressing issues in local school districts. For more on this and to see the districts selected see here.

NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey
At the request of the SBE, DPI has revised and updated the NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey for the first time in many years. Staff released the revised draft of the survey they plan to use and discussed the goals of the survey and the data to be gathered. See presentation here and survey here.\

CARES Model Evaluation Report and One District’s Journey
This is a two year evaluation report. One of the goals of the CARES model is to improve school and district performance by 2027. The findings in the report are based on publicly available, aggregated school-level analysis. Individual student-level analysis will be included in subsequent reports based on data availability. In the last meeting, CARES school scores were broken down by region level analysis, this report goes one step further and breaks down scores by region level analysis. See a presentation on preliminary evaluation findings about CARES transformation coaching here and a presentation from Northampton County Schools here.

New Policy on Parents’ Guide to Student Achievement: The Board is committed to establishing minimum requirements by May 1. DPI is diligently engaging various stakeholders in the process of developing these requirements to ensure they align with the relevant legislation. While many aspects of the requirements are already being implemented in schools, the critical aspect was consolidating this information in a user-friendly format for parents to easily access.  This new policy is being taken up for approval next month.  See the policy here and a presentation from DPI outlining the minimum requirements and clarifying reporting deadlines here.

Computer Science Courses Satisfying Graduation Requirements:  In June 2023, a preliminary list of courses was published on the Computer Science and Technology website and distributed to PSUs for their input. The feedback received has been integrated into a list which was presented to the Board and is recommended for Board approval.  See the list of computer science courses here.  See a presentation for more detail here.

The following is the Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) most recent federal education reports.

October 16, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include:

Education Department Creates Technical Assistance Centers: The US Department of Education has announced the creation of technical assistance centers. These centers will support state and local efforts to enhance student wellbeing, academic success, and school safety. Funds awarded for these technical assistance centers include $760,619 for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Center; $18.3 million for National Technical Assistance Center for 21st Century Community Learning Centers; and $5.6 million for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (Title IV, Part A) and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Technical Assistance Center. Click here for a press release with more information.

October 23, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include:

FCC Adopts Rule Allowing Funds for Wi-Fi on School Buses: The Federal Communications Commission has issued a new rule allowing school districts to use money from the E-Rate program, which assists schools and libraries with buying affordable broadband, toward Wi-Fi and supported devices on buses. Funding for the E-Rate program, which is under the Universal Service Fund, is typically eligible to certain schools and libraries for educational purposes, with this new rule clarifying that Wi-Fi and similar technology on school buses is an educational purpose.
October 30, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include:

House Elects A Speaker, Budget Deadline Looms: After three weeks of political drama within the Republican majority caucus, the U.S. House of Representatives has elected a new Speaker,
Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA). Now that the House has a Speaker, attention turns back to passing a federal budget. The current continuing resolution funds the government through November 17th. Speaker Johnson has already indicated that the House will need to pass another continuing resolution to fund the government through either January 15th or April 15th.
Other Federal News

Energy Department To Hold School Partnership Webinar: The US Department of Energy is hosting the Power of Partnerships webinar on Thursday, November 16 at 1:00 PM ET, for districts to learn how partnerships with community-based organizations, energy service companies, universities, and utilities are helping schools address energy improvement challenges. To register for the webinar, click here.

EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program: The US Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for its 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate Program. Districts can apply for rebates to replace school buses with clean and zero-emission models. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2024 at 4pm, ET. Click here for more information.

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

State News

North State Journal: NC House Republicans Unite Behind Destin Hall As Next Speaker
North State Journal: NC Dept of Public Instruction Challenges State Auditor’s ‘Egregious’ Truancy Report
North State Journal: Eight NC Schools Named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools
Carolina Journal: Leandro’s Latest Twist Involves ‘Subject Matter Jurisdiction’
Carolina Journal: Unanimous Appeals Court Panel Rules Against Harnett Schools In Pension-Spiking Fight
WRAL: NC Supreme Court Agrees To Take Up Another Issue In the Leandro Education Lawsuit
WRAL: NC Students of Color and Students With Disabilities Are Sent To Police 2.5 Times As Often, ACLU Says
WFAE: NC Charter School Enrollment Keeps Growing While School Districts Stay Flat
WFAE: Federal Grants Will Help NC Schools Recruit, Reward, and Retain Teachers
News & Observer: NC Lawmakers Lowered Graduation Requirements. Some Schools Want Them Changed Back
News & Observer: Change Is Coming In How Math Is Taught In NC Schools. But Will It Make Students Care?
News & Observer: Free Breakfast In the Classroom? NC Offering Grants to Schools That Take the Leap
Education NC: When Will NC School Employees See Pay Raises?
Education NC: This Year’s Legislative Long Session Has Come To An End

National News

K-12 Dive: After-School Meal Participation Drops For the First Time
K-12 Dive: Education Department Watchdog To Audit Pandemic Aid Dollars Through 2025
Education Week: Need More Time To Spend ESSR Funds? Contact Your State Now, Ed Dept. Says
American Enterprise Institute: What School Boards Need To Know About Title IX
New York Times: School Cellphone Bans Are Trending. Do They Work?
New York Times: New SAT Data Highlights the Deep Inequality at the Heart of American Education

There are no education-related committee meetings scheduled at this time.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.orgMadison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.orgRob Black
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
rblack@ncsba.org
Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – November 3, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – October 13, 2023

Just like the old wrestler “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, the NC General Assembly once again flexed their supermajority muscles this week by overriding several gubernatorial vetoes. Notably, these overrides were not directly related to K-12 education; nevertheless, local school board members should pay attention to SB 749, as it addresses the structure of local election boards.

SB749: No Partisan Advantage In Elections (primary sponsors Senators Warren Daniel, R-Burke; Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus; Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell)

  • Effective January 1, 2024, increase the number of members of the State Board of Elections from 5 to 8, with all 8 members being appointed by the General Assembly (was the NC Governor).
  • Effective January 1, 2024, decrease the number of members of each of the 100 county boards of elections from 5 to 4, with all 4 members being appointed by the General Assembly.
  • Click here for a bill summary

Local Bills Sent to Conference Committee

SB 68: Various Local Changes (primary sponsor: Senator Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson)

  • Senate voted NOT to concur by 49-0 vote
  • Includes a provision that outlines new boundaries for the Whiteville City Schools Administrative Unit

NCSBA Legislative Summary

Each legislative session, the NCSBA Governmental Relations Team compiles a comprehensive Legislative Summary, encompassing all K-12 education-related bills that have successfully passed into law, in addition to the K-12 education components of the state budget. The session summary was highlighted in last week’s update, and we have updated the document again this week. This invaluable resource condenses all essential legislative information that local school boards need into one place:

Click here to the view the NCSBA Legislative Summary.

Winding Down

The majority of business for the 2023 legislative long session is wrapping up. However, the NC General Assembly isn’t quite done yet. There are no votes scheduled next week, but the legislature is expected to vote on newly drawn electoral districts for both Congress and the NC General Assembly the week of October 23rd. Indications are that the session will adjourn the following week of October 30, but if this session has taught us anything, it’s to believe it when you see it, and not a moment before.

As the session winds down, the Legislative Update will revert back to monthly publication. We will of course keep you apprised of any legislative happenings between issues should the need arise. The monthly edition will continue to cover State Board of Education meetings, as well as the federal update from the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA).

The following is the Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) most recent federal education report.
October 9, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include

Congressional Chaos Continues: With the passage of the continuing resolution to keep the government funded at FY 2023 levels to November 17th, all eyes turn to the election of the next Speaker of the House after the ouster last week of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Without a speaker, the House cannot debate bills. The Appropriations Committee cannot meet to markup spending bills. The Rules Committee cannot meet to discuss what bills might be on the floor. Authorizing Committees cannot hold hearings on pressing issues. No work can be done without the selection of a Speaker.

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

State News

News & Observer: What’s Next For Former Wake Superintendent Catty Moore? A Seat On the NC Education Board
News & Observer: LGBTQ Rights Group Says NC’s New Parents Bill of Rights Violates Federal Law
News & Observer: Audit Says NC Schools Didn’t Keep Up With Monitoring Student Attendance During Pandemic
NC Newsline: State Education Leaders Disappointed By Size of Teacher Pay Raises
WFAE: North Carolina’s Audit of Pandemic-Year Truancy Sparks Debate About Its Value
WFAE: Iredell-Statesville Schools Changes Football Start Times After Incidents
WFAE: Teachers Drop Lawsuit Against Gaston County Schools As Payroll Nightmare Recedes 

National News

K-12 Dive: Many Districts Racing Against the Clock To Spend ARP Funds
Education Week: Three Reasons Why More Students Are In Special Education
Education Week: Republicans Keep Talking About Abolishing the Education Department. Why?
The Hill: Education Can Unite Us. That’s Needed Now More Than Ever
New York Times: Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department
Washington Post: Guns Are Seized In U.S. Schools Each Day. The Numbers Are Soaring

There are no education-related committee meetings scheduled at this time.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org

Madison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – October 13, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – October 6, 2023

The state budget, HB259: 2023 Appropriations Act (S.L. 2023-134) became law without the Governor’s signature on Tuesday. NCSBA has updated our Legislative Session Summary outlining every education-related budget provision and law. This document will be updated as events warrant until the session adjourns.

The NC General Assembly remained paused this week with no votes taken. Legislators are expected to convene next week to consider several veto overrides and potentially other legislative business.

Education Bills Signed Into Law By The  Governor

HB 8: Various Statutory Changes (S.L. 2023-132)  (primary sponsors: Representatives Erin Paré, R-Wake; John Torbett, R-Gaston; Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke; Jon Hardister, R-Guilford)

  • Originally titled Computer Sci Grad Requirement.
  • Makes statutory changes.
  • Requires completion of a computer science course for graduation from high school.
    • Reduces the number of required elective credits to graduate high school by one.
    • Creates exemptions to the requirement for students to complete a computer science course.

HB 142: Protect Our Students Act/Buncombe County Bd of Ed (S.L. 2023-128) (primary sponsors: Representatives John Torbett, R-Gaston; Kristin Baker, R-Cabarrus; Jake Johnson, R-Polk; Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort)

  • Increases penalties for all sex offenses by school personnel against a student
  • Modifies the definition of a student in cases of sexual crimes by school personnel
  • Increases penalties for failing to report misconduct toward children
  • Requires public school units to show 6th-12 graders age-appropriate videos produced by the Center for Safer Schools which include information on sex abuse.
  • Requires school employees convicted of certain felonies involving a student to forfeit the portion of their state-funded retirement benefits
  • Senate amendments do the following:
    • Moves deadline for Buncombe County Board of Education to establish new electoral districts from February 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
    • Instructs the Buncombe County Board of Education and the Asheville City Board of Education to jointly study a merger of their two school systems.

Education Bills That Became Law Without Governor’s Signature
SB 452: DOI & Ins Law Amd/Revise HS Athletics (S.L. 2023-133) (primary sponsors: Senators Todd Johnson, R-Union; David Craven, R-Randolph; Danny Britt, R-Robeson)

  • Previously titled NC Department of Insurance Omnibus (Agency bill)
  • Makes substantive changes and revises oversight of interscholastic athletics with similar language found in SB 636: School Athletics Transparency.
    • Replaces the State Board of Education with the Superintendent of Public Instruction as the entity that enters into the memorandum of understanding with the administering organization (currently the NC High School Athletic Assn.).
    • Expands requirements for the memorandum of understanding.
    • Many of the changes apply beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
  • Click here to read the most recent official bill summary for SB 636, School Athletics Transparency.

Federal Budget Update

Just two days after NCSBA President Darrell Pennell and the Governmental Relations team  wrapped up a series of meetings with various members of the North Carolina Congressional delegation, crisis was averted (for now) as the House and Senate agreed to H.R. 5860, a continuing resolution which will fund the government for 45 additional days past the October 1 deadline. Are those two things a coincidence? We’ll leave that to your judgement!

The two chambers now have until November 17 to agree on a budget, another continuing resolution, or we’ll all be facing a shutdown once again. Here is a list of how the House and Senate members from North Carolina voted on the continuing resolution:

Senate
Sen. Thom Tillis                                   YES
Sen. Ted Budd                                     YES
House
1st District                   Rep. Don Davis                                   YES
2nd District                  Rep. Deborah Ross                             YES
3rd District                   Rep. Greg Murphy                               NO
4th District                   Rep. Valerie Foushee                          YES
5th District                   Rep. Virginia Foxx                               YES
6th District                   Rep. Kathy Manning                            YES
7th District                   Rep. David Rouzer                              YES
8th District                   Rep. Dan Bishop                                  NO
9th District                   Rep. Richard Hudson                          YES
10th District                 Rep. Patrick McHenry                          YES
11th District                 Rep. Chuck Edwards                           YES
12th District                 Rep. Alma Adams                                YES
13th District                 Rep. Wiley Nickel                                YES
14th District                 Rep. Jeff Jackson                                YES

Unfortunately, the chaos on Capitol Hill did not stop with the last minute continuing resolution vote. On Tuesday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) became the first Speaker in history to be voted out of the position. The vote was the result of conflicts within the Republican Caucus, who holds the majority in the House of Representatives.

As a result, there’s a North Carolinian temporarily sitting in the Speaker’s chair. Rep. Patrick McHenry (NC-10) serves in House leadership as the Speaker Pro Tem. Upon the removal of Speaker McCarthy, Rep. McHenry was elevated to Speaker until a new one can be elected. The first round of votes is expected next week.

State Board of Education Meeting
The SBE met Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  The Board approved the following:

  • Policy Amendment Modifying American Rescue Plan Committee Membership and Meetings (ADVS-012)
  • New Policy on Process for Appointment of Interim Superintendents (DSTR-041) and Assistance Teams (DSTR-042) for PSUs
  • Rules Review and Readoption for District and Regional Support
  • New Policy on Appeals Process for Charter Schools Review Board Decisions (CHTR-023)
  • Two Community College Educator Preparation Programs
  • Five Additional Members for Interscholastic Athletics Appeals Board
  • Annual Required Reports To The General Assembly
  • Two Contracts over $500,000

Policy Amendment Modifying American Rescue Plan Committee Membership and Meetings (ADVS-012): The Board revised this policy to decrease the total number of members from 33 to 15 and to reduce the number of meetings from quarterly to as needed.  The rationale is to increase participation and make meetings more productive. See policy amendment here. For a list of committee members see here.

New Policy on Process for Appointment of Interim Superintendents for PSUs (DSTR-041):The Board approved a new policy identifying factors the State Board will consider when determining whether the appointment of an interim superintendent is necessary or appropriate to improve student performance in a district. The policy also includes how the interim superintendent will be employed, how the position will be funded, and the reporting expectations to the SBE. See policy here.

New Policy on Assistance Teams (DSTR-042):The Board approved this policy to support the drafted update to the rule and explain how the assistance teams operate when the agency implements its powers to assign one of these teams in a district. The policy provides more definition as to who will be on assistance teams. See policy here.

Rules Review and Readoption for District and Regional Support: To meet statutory obligations for G.S. 150B-21.3A, the SBE is required to review and readopt rules during the decennial review process.  The Board reviewed and approved rules on the School Improvement Plan Dispute Resolution Process here, Local Board Cooperation with Assistance Teams here, Due Process Protections For Employees of Low Performing Schools Recommended For Dismissal here , and updated the policy on Suspension Of Powers and Duties of School Boards here.

New Policy on Appeals Process for Charter Schools Review Board Decisions:Counsel indicated that this policy responds to legislation that changed the process from one in which the State Board approves charter school applications to one in which it hears appeals from decisions by the Charter School Review Board.  The policy describes the appeals process. See the new policy CHTR-023 here.  

Two Community College Educator Preparation Programs: Based on North Carolina Law and SBE policy TCED-004, an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) must either be nationally accredited or seek approval by the SBE to become an initially authorized EPP.  In June, the SBE approved the framework for establishing an EPP at a local community college. Each local community college must still receive approval from the SBE to operate an EPP program prior to offering and admitting students.  Pitt and Robeson Community Colleges  were approved this month for initial authorization as a North Carolina EPP, bringing the total to 21 such approved programs across the state. These will be residential programs for elementary teachers to obtain licensure but not a degree.
Five Additional Members for Interscholastic Athletics Appeals Board:  The SBE approved five new members to the appeals board to review appeals of final decisions by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) and the Carolina Athletic Association for Schools of Choice (CAA4SC). This brings the total of the appeals board to 10 members; the goal is to have 15. The newly approved members are: : Bobby Guthrie – Former Athletic Director, Wake County Public School System (Retired), Stewart Hobbs – Former Superintendent, Sampson County Schools (Retired), Ronnie Chavis – Former Athletic Director, Public Schools of Robeson County (Retired), Kathy Spencer – Former Superintendent, Onslow County Schools (Retired), and Jim Watson – Former Superintendent, Lincoln County Schools (Retired).

Annual Required Reports to the General Assembly: The Board approved reports on (1) Updated Career and College-Ready Graduate Program outcomes (presentation here and report here), (2) Educational Performance of Children with Disabilities and Implementation of Policies to Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities here and report here, (3) Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate here, (4) Cooperative Purchasing here, (5) Full Time Equivalency of Public School Students here, and (6) Local Board of Education Waivers here.

Two Contracts over $500,000:  The Board approved the Read to Achieve Alternative Assessment Contract for Renaissance STAR Reading which will be optional for districts.  If a district opts in to the service, they will provide a $6.54 per student license. The second contract is the Consolidated K-12 Data Base Facility Information Project Contract with the Amos Group.

The Board also approved several items reviewed at the meeting last month as follows:

  • Changes to 2022-23 Student Test Performance Data
  • Updated Alternative Schools’ Accountability Model Options for 2023-2024
  • Whole Child Committee Recommendations
  • Paid Parental Leave Rule and Policy Amendment (BENF-001)
  • North Carolina Personalized Assessment Tool Evaluations (NCPAT)

Changes to the 2022-23 Student Test Performance Data: This month DPI provided changes to the data it released in September based on updated reporting from PSUs. Data corrections resulting in a status change can be seen here.

Updated Alternative Schools’ Accountability Model Options for 2023-2024:  The Board approved an update from the information last month to add one school changing the total requests for this option from 76 schools to 77 schools. See here.

Whole Child Committee Recommendations:  The Board approved the recommendations heard last month from the members of the committee regarding the need for funding for specialized instructional support personnel and expanding school-based access to Health Services. See presentation from last month here.

Paid Parental Leave Rule and Policy Amendment:  The Board approved more changes to the temporary Rule and the amendment of NC Public School Employees Benefit and Employment policy (BENF-001) to allow teachers to change districts and still be able to take advantage of the paid parental leave benefit.  The policy also now clarifies that the period of time in transition from one job to the next does not count as a break in service. The changes will be effective November 7.  See rule here and policy here.

North Carolina Personalized Assessment Tool Update (NCPAT):  In follow-up to the report at last month’s meeting, DPI shared evaluations of N.C.’s Personalized Assessment Tool. See the evaluations here and here and the presentation here.  

This month, the Board received several reports and discussed proposed changes to policy as follows:

  • State Superintendent’s Report
  • 2022-23 Read to Achieve State Level Summary Report to the GA
  • Update from Charter Schools Review Board (CSRB) and Summary of Application Process
  • Standards Revision Update
  • New SBE Policy: Parents Bill of Rights Appeal (PRNT-001)
  • Policy Amendment: Authority for Local School Boards to Exceed Minimum Graduation Requirements (GRAD-001)
  • Report to the General Assembly Evaluating the Advanced Teaching Roles Program and Compensation Plans
  • Annual Report: The Council on Educational Service for Exceptional Children
  • Annual Report on Low Performing Districts and Schools
  • Report Evaluating Implementation and Impact of ESSER III Funded Supports for Educators in Chronically Low-Performing Schools
  • Policy Amendment To Career Technical Education (CTE)edTPA Cut Score (LICN-003)

State Superintendent’s Report:  See her press release on the budget here.

2022-23 Read to Achieve State Level Summary Report to the GA:  The presenter focused on the need for specific strategies for districts to develop master schedules, maximize resources, and find innovative ways to use subs. Superintendent Truitt says she was not surprised by the district reading camp proficiency report.  DPI is working on a process to present to legislature.  Reggie Keenan confirmed that reading camps cannot be mandatory. Truitt pointed out there has been good attendance and a need to help districts with messaging strategies.  See summary here and full report here.

Update from Charter Schools Review Board (CSRB) and Summary of Application Process:
Ashley Baquero, Executive Director of the NC Office of Charter Schools, presented an overview of the entire process from submission to approval.  She made the following points: (1) Funding only flows once a charter school has made it through the entire application process which usually takes 1 and ½ to 2 years.  (2) The application deadline is the last Friday in April with a $1000 fee to apply.  (3) The application process is now entirely electronic.  (4) There are two types of applications: accelerated to open next year and standard to open in two years. The one accelerated applicant this year was denied last month. (5) Interviews are 60 minutes or 90 minutes if a management company is involved.
The CSRB Chair, Bruce Friend and Vice Chair, John  Eldrige gave the Board a report on the first meeting of the CSRB.  There are 15 applications in this cycle.  Of the new applicants, 2 were denied on first interview, and 3 were invited for a second interview in November or December. They approved and plan to carefully monitor several schools that submitted school improvement plans.  They will review 5 additional new applicants  in 5 weeks.  Two additional applicants are being reviewed for reconsideration of SBE vote.  Wendell Hall confirmed the two schools denied are not allowed to rewrite the application but can apply again in next year’s cycle.  It was further noted that the time frame for appeal to the SBE by the two schools has expired.

Standards Revision Update:  DPI staff provided the monthly progress update on revising standards for K-12 Healthful Living, Arts, Guidance, and World Language. Surveys on World Language standards released September 15 will close on October 16. Arts surveys sent out October 2 will close November 5.  See full report here.

New SBE Policy: Parents Bill of Rights Appeal (PRNT-001): The Board discussed a new policy proposal that will be back for approval next month.  Legal staff developed the policy in response to the Parents’ Bill of Rights Legislation which gives the SBE a role to hear appeals on parental concerns. Wendell Hall believes this policy will be helpful to local boards.  Vice Chair Duncan pointed out and counsel confirmed that there is no enforcement provision in this policy because the law does not provide one.  See proposed new policy here.

Policy Amendment: Authority for Local School Boards to Exceed Minimum Graduation Requirements (GRAD-001): This amendment to SBE policy provides a mechanism for a local board to waive additional local graduation requirements for students requesting to graduate in three years.  Discussion raised questions and concerns about the policy. The superintendent advisor, Don Phipps indicated there is a need for more outreach to make sure families understand the value in the programs beyond the 22 hours. Wendell Hall says clarification is needed so local boards are informed and included in the conversation. Superintendent Truitt says this is just another step that recognizes the nature of school and work is changing.  For more details see policy amendment here.

Report to the General Assembly Evaluating the Advanced Teaching Roles Program and Compensation Plans: Approval was delayed until next month for DPI to provide a cover letter for the report highlighting the limitations on the research and a plan to strengthen data collection results to demonstrate the benefits of and needs for the program. School leaders say this program supports their efforts to recruit teachers. They suggested that to ensure equitable access to ATR, education leaders should think about how ATR might be leveraged in school improvement plans.  See presentation here and report here.

Annual Report: The Council on Educational Service for Exceptional Children: This advisory council to the SBE was established under IDEA and NC General Statutes.  The 24 member board meets quarterly and advises the SBE on unmet needs of children with special needs and the development and implementation of policies related to the coordination of services for students with disabilities.  At its June meeting, the council recommended inviting Family Organizations providing support on the ground to families navigating the education system to come speak to best practices and challenges at least once per year.  It also recommends a survey of other organizations that serve families with disabilities and mental health concerns to discern unmet needs.  See presentation  here and the report here.

Annual Report on Low Performing Districts and Schools: The State Board is required to submit a report to the Joint Education Oversight Committee annually regarding districts and schools identified as low performing, effective improvement planning, and recommending additional legislation to improve student performance and increase local flexibility.  This will be back for discussion next month. See presentation here and the report here.

Report Evaluating Implementation and Impact of ESSER III Funded Supports for Educators in Chronically Low-Performing Schools: In January 2023, the Education Policy Initiative at Carolina (EPIC) was awarded a two-year grant to provide an independent external evaluation of multi-level coaching and professional development supports provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to schools who have been in low-performing status for years. See report here.

Policy Amendment To Career Technical Education (CTE)edTPA  (LICN-003):  The Board discussed amending policy LICN-003 to add a cut score of 33 for Career and Technical Education (CTE) edTPA assessment.  PEPSC unanimously approved this policy amendment on September 14, 2023.  This will go back to PEPSC to recommend the time period needed to prepare for the change.  See summary report here and handbook here.

The following is the Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) most recent federal education report.
October 2, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include

Education Department Outlines Extension of Pandemic Funding Deadlines: The U.S. Department of Education has outlined procedures schools will use to extend spending deadlines for nearly $130 billion in federal pandemic aid. The department acknowledges that some grantees may require flexibility liquidating remaining Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) and Emergency Assistance to Non-Public School (EANS) funds under ARP that have been properly obligated by the September 30, 2024 deadline. The letter to grantees announces that the general liquidation extension that has been available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Acts will be available for ARP.  Click here to read the letter.

Agriculture Department Expands School Meal Program: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expanding the availability of the Community Eligibility Provision, commonly known as CEP. The program provides a simplified meal service option that allows schools to provide meals at no cost to all students without requiring families to apply for free and reduced-price meals. Instead, school districts receive federal funding based on a formula using existing data from SNAP and other programs, and local or state funds must fill any gap between program costs and federal support. Before this final rule, at least 40% of students had to live in households participating in certain income-based federal assistance programs, in order for a school, group of schools, or school district to be eligible for CEP. This final rule lowers that threshold from 40% to 25%. It is estimated that an additional 3000 school districts will be able to participate as a result. Click here to read a press release on the CEP expansion.

As part of the recently passed state budget, DPI now has $6.3 million for the 2024-2025 school year as an incentive to help districts make up budget shortfalls when implementing the CEP.

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

State News

EdNC: New Statewide Program Aims To Support Development of High Quality Principals
News & Observer: State Board of Education Says It Won’t Hear Appeals On School Book Challenges, Here’s Why
WFAE: State Board of Education Weighs How To Implement the Parents’ Bill of Rights
WRAL: NC School Districts Adjust to Controversial New Parents Bill of Rights Law
Carolina Journal: Leandro Plaintiffs Ask State’s Highest Court To Steer Clear of Latest Dispute
WFAE: School Superintendent Turnover Is Rising. A Leader Aims To ‘Keep Down the Noise’ Amid the Culture Wars
WRAL: Coaches As Teachers Shows Promise In Some NC Schools, Studies Say
WRAL: New State Budget Takes Aim At Hunger In Schools
News & Observer: Teacher Misconduct and Computer Science Graduation Requirement Bills Become NC Law
News & Observer: Change In NC Law Will Give More Teachers Up To 8 Weeks Of Paid Parental Leave
Governor’s Office Press Release: Governor Cooper Signs Seven Bills, Vetoes Two Bills and Lets Three Bills Become Session Law

National News

Education Week: What the Latest Student Test Results Reveal: 5 Things To Know
Education Week: A District Raised All Teacher Salaries, Some By Almost 22k. How It’s Working
K-12 Dive: PowerSchool Finalizes Purchase of SchoolMessenger for $300M
K-12 Dive: Supreme Court Rejects Multiple Public School Cases On First Day of 2023 Term
New York Times: The Great American Teacher Crisis
U.S. Education Department Blog: Online For All: Coalition Mobilizes for Digital Equity during Back-to-School Season

There are no education-related committee meetings scheduled at this time.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org

Madison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – October 6, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – September 29, 2023

The state budget storm has passed, and waters were calm this week at the NC General Assembly. No votes were taken, and only procedural sessions were held. As we mentioned in last week’s legislative update, Governor Cooper plans to let the budget bill become law without his signature. Next up is the drawing of new congressional and legislative districts. Public hearings on the process were held this week.

Calm weather in one place generally means stormy weather somewhere else. That certainly held true in Washington, DC this week as the federal government barreled towards a likely shutdown at midnight on October 1. Unlike the state budget which enables spending to continue past the July 1 deadline at previously authorized levels, the federal budget has no such provisions. Absent passing a budget, all non-essential government operations must cease.


(Pictured; NCSBA President Darrell Pennell, Rep. Virginia Foxx NC-05)

NCSBA President Darrell Pennell (Chair, Caldwell County Schools) and Governmental Relations staff spent much of the week in Washington attending the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Fall Advocacy Conference and meeting with several North Carolina congressional offices. It was communicated what a shutdown would mean for K-12 public education. LEAs across the state receive an average of 14.3% of their funding from the federal government, slightly higher than the nationwide average of 11.3%.  The looming shutdown was central to many of the discussions, particularly in the short term as it relates to Impact Aid, Head Start and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Additionally, we were able to show the need for increased federal funding in several areas such as IDEA funding, cybersecurity, and school nutrition.

Education Bills On Governor’s Desk

HB 8: Various Statutory Changes  (primary sponsors: Representatives Erin Paré, R-Wake; John Torbett, R-Gaston; Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke; Jon Hardister, R-Guilford)

  • Passed Senate by 47-0 vote, Passed House by 102-8 vote
  • Originally titled Computer Sci Grad Requirement.
  • Makes statutory changes.
  • Requires completion of a computer science course for graduation from high school.
    • Reduces the number of required elective credits to graduate high school by one.
    • Creates exemptions to the requirement for students to complete a computer science course.
  • Click here for an old bill summary for a previous version of HB 8.

HB 142: Protect Our Students Act/Buncombe County Bd of Ed (primary sponsors: Representatives John Torbett, R-Gaston; Kristin Baker, R-Cabarrus; Jake Johnson, R-Polk; Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort)

  • Passed Senate by 47-0 vote, Passed House by 106-1 vote
  • Increases penalties for all sex offenses by school personnel against a student
  • Modifies the definition of a student in cases of sexual crimes against a student by school personnel
  • Increases penalties for failing to report misconduct toward children
  • Requires public school units to show 6th-12 graders age-appropriate videos produced by the Center for Safer Schools which include information on sex abuse.
  • Requires school employees convicted of certain felonies involving a student to forfeit the portion of their state-funded retirement benefits
  • Senate amendments do the following:
    • Moves deadline for Buncombe County Board of Education to establish new electoral districts from February 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
    • Instructs the Buncombe County Board of Education and the Asheville City Board of Education to jointly study a merger of their two school systems.

SB 452: DOI & Ins Law Amd/Revise HS Athletics (primary sponsors: Senators Todd Johnson, R-Union; David Craven, R-Randolph; Danny Britt, R-Robeson)

  • Previously titled NC Department of Insurance Omnibus (Agency bill)
  • Makes substantive changes and revises oversight of interscholastic athletics with similar language found in SB 636: School Athletics Transparency.
  • Some differences from SB 636 v.3 include:
    • Replaces the State Board of Education with the Superintendent of Public Instruction as the entity that enters into the memorandum of understanding with the administering organization (currently the NC High School Athletic Assn.).
    • Expands requirements for the memorandum of understanding.
    • Many of the changes apply beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
  • Passed House by 67-43 vote, Passed Senate by 43-0 vote
  • Click here to read the most recent official bill summary for SB 636, School Athletics Transparency.

Education Bills Signed By The Governor

HB 432: Principal Licensure Changes (primary sponsors: Representatives David Willis, R-Union; Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke; Tricia Cotham, D-Mecklenburg; John Torbett, R-Gaston)

  • Updates principal licensure requirements
  • Eliminates the requirement that principals must have at least four years of classroom teaching experience and instead requires principals to have at least four years of experience as a “licensed professional educator”
  • Requires the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission to develop a portfolio-based assessment for prospective principals
  • Requires an internship of at least 500 hours rather than a yearlong internship

Bills Vetoed By The Governor

SB749: No Partisan Advantage In Elections (primary sponsors Senators Warren Daniel, R-Burke; Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus; Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell)

  • Effective January 1, 2024, increase the number of members of the State Board of Elections from 5 to 8, with all 8 members being appointed by the General Assembly.
  • Effective January 1, 2024, decrease the number of members of each of the 100 county boards of elections from 5 to 4, with all 4 members being appointed by the General Assembly.
  • Click here for a bill summary
  • Click here for the Governor’s veto message

There is no Consortium of State School Boards Association (COSSBA) federal education report this week as COSSBA staff was hosting the Fall Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC.

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

State News

Winston-Salem Journal: Ending Reign As Speaker, North Carolina Rep. Tim Moore Won’t Run For House Seat In ’24, Either
EdNC: North Carolina Has A New Budget. Here’s What Educators Need To Know
EdNC: A Guide To Education Items In North Carolina’s New Budget
NC Newsline: Gov. Cooper Will Let State Budget Bill Become Law Without Signature
PBS: Medicaid Expansion To Begin In North Carolina As Governor Lets Budget Bill Become Law
News & Observer: Experienced NC Teachers Unhappy With Budget, Call Small Pay Raises, ‘Slap In the Face
WUNC: How A Government Shutdown Could Impact Food Assistance, Airport Workers And National Parks in NC
WRAL: A Government Shutdown Is Nearing This Weekend. What Does It Mean, Who’s Hit, and What’s Next
News & Observer: 8 NC Schools Named Best In U.S. By Department of Education. Does Your Kid Attend One?
News & Observer: New Wake Policy Says Teachers Can’t Encourage Students To Hide Info From Parents

WRAL: Virtual Teachers Beam Into NC To Give Short-Staffed Schools Some Classroom Consistency
WRAL: Wake Schools Moving Policy Changes Forward With ‘Parents Bill of Rights’ Compliance
WFAE: NC Participation And Scores On AP Tests Top Pre-Pandemic Levels
WFAE: Across North Carolina, School ‘Swatting’ Hoaxes Waste Time And Create Terror
WFAE: Book Battles Across the Region Highlight The Importance of Context
WFAE: Fact Check: Did Roy Cooper Block School Choice Bill?
WUNC: Redistricting Redux – NC Lawmakers To Again Draw New Maps For Congress And For Themselves
Carolina Journal: Legislative Leaders Argue For New State Supreme Court To Review Leandro Case

National News

Education Week: The Federal Government Might Shut Down. (Yes, Again) Here’s What Schools Need To Know 
Education Week: What’s Keeping People From Becoming Teachers? An Eye-Popping To-Do List For One
Education Week: Is This the Year Students Finally Catch up From the Pandemic? Educators Think So
K-12 Dive: Ed Tech Budget Relief: Google Doubles Down On Longer Chromebook Lifespans
Washington Post: The Big Problems With College and K-12 School Rankings
Washington Post: Home Schooling Today Is Less Religious and More Diverse Poll Finds
Washington Post: She Challenges One School Book A Week. She Says She’ll Never Stop

There are no education-related committee meetings scheduled at this time.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org

Madison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – September 29, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – September 22, 2023

This Week at the Legislature

The NC General Assembly may be putting the old adage, “better late than never” to the test, but we do finally have a state budget – 84 days past the deadline.  The budget passed by a vote of 69-40 in the House and a vote of 28-19 in the Senate.  Governor Cooper has already announced he will let the budget bill become law without his signature which will occur ten days after he receives it.  Here is Governor Cooper’s full statement on the budget and his decision.

Following up on NCSBA’s State Budget Alert we emailed Wednesday night, further down in this week’s Legislative Update you’ll see links to our summary of many more education-related policy provisions and the K12 money report.  Also included below are several other important bills with action this week.

First, here are some highlights from the State budget:

Parents’ Bill of Rights “Fix”

Section 7.81, Adjustments to S.L. 2023-106, provides two big “fixes” to SB49: Parents’ Bill of Rights (PBR):

  • Extends policy deadlines in Part II of PBR to the 1st day of school after January 1, 2024
  • “Not withstanding” language impacts Part III of PBR and clarifies that the statute permitting certain school employees to provide first aid and other care to students remains unchanged.

Salaries – Retroactive to July 1, 2023

Teachers, Assistant Principals, and Instructional Support Personnel

  • Including step increases, the average teacher salary increase over the 2-year cycle is 7% when compared to FY 2022-23.
  • Total salary increases over the 2-year budget range from 3.6% to 14.9%.
  • Starting teacher pay increases from $37,000 to $39,000 in FY 2023-2024 and to $41,000 in FY 2024-2025.
  • Assistant principal pay remains tied to the base teacher salary schedule +19%
  • An additional $30 million in recurring funds for the Teacher Supplement Assistance Allotment for a revised net appropriation of $200 million in each year of the biennium.

Other Public School Employees

  • A 4% across-the-board increase in FY 2023-24 and a 3% across-the-board increase in FY 2024-25 for most noncertified staff, central office staff, and principals
  • Bus drivers will receive an additional 2% on top of the across-the-board raises.

Benefits

  • $215.5 million over the biennium to increase employer premiums to the State Health Plan for active employees.
  • $225.5 million over the biennium to increase contributions to State retirement systems & the Retiree Health Benefit Fund for retiree medical benefits
  • $145.6 million to provide State retirees with a 4% one-time supplement (bonus).

Click here for NCSBA’s summary of education budget provisions and click here for NCSBA’s summary of education budget appropriations. Our summaries include most (not all) of the education budget.

Click here to access the official budget bill. Click here to access the budget committee (money) report.

NCSBA will be publishing complete legislative summaries that detail the state budget and every piece of education-related legislation in the coming days.

There was legislative activity beyond the budget as outlined below.

Local Bills Passed By the House

SB 68: Various Local Changes (primary sponsor: Senator Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson)

  • Passed House by  99-6 vote, Sent to Senate for concurrence
  • Originally titled City of Hendersonville/Parking Meter Proceeds
  • Modified to incorporate a provision that outlines new boundaries for the Whiteville City Schools Administrative Unit.

Statewide Education Bills Passed By the House

SB 692: Changes In Education Laws (primary sponsors: Senators Amy Galey, R-Alamance; Todd Johnson, R-Union; Tom McInnis, R-Moore)

  • Passed House by 70 to 40 vote, Sent to Senate for concurrence
  • Previously titled Community College Governance, All new language inserted
  • Repeals statutes establishing the authorization for regional schools and creates the Northeast Regional School of Biotechnology and Agriscience as a regional school of choice for 18 northeastern counties
  • Admissions limited to students living in one of the 18 northeastern counties in the service area of the school
  • Exempt 529 Plans and ABLE accounts from certain creditors
  • Modifies zoning requirements for schools.
  • Establish civic focus weeks when civic youth groups may present to public schools
  • Modify certain powers and duties of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education

Statewide Education Bills Sent to the Governor

HB 8: Various Statutory Changes  (primary sponsors: Representatives Erin Paré, R-Wake; John Torbett, R-Gaston; Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke; Jon Hardister, R-Guilford)

  • Passed Senate by 47-0 vote, Passed House by 102-8 vote
  • Originally titled Computer Sci Grad Requirement.
  • Makes statutory changes.
  • Requires completion of a computer science course for graduation from high school.
    • Reduces the number of required elective credits to graduate high school by one.
    • Creates exemptions to the requirement for students to complete a computer science course.
  • Click here for an old bill summary for a previous version of HB 8.

HB 142: Protect Our Students Act/Buncombe County Bd of Ed(primary sponsors: Representatives John Torbett, R-Gaston; Kristin Baker, R-Cabarrus; Jake Johnson, R-Polk; Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort)

  • Passed Senate by 47-0 vote, Passed House by 106-1 vote
  • Increases penalties for all sex offenses by school personnel against a student
  • Modifies the definition of a student in cases of sexual crimes against a student by school personnel
  • Increases penalties for failing to report misconduct toward children
  • Requires public school units to show 6th-12 graders age-appropriate videos produced by the Center for Safer Schools which include information on sex abuse.
  • Requires school employees convicted of certain felonies involving a student to forfeit the portion of their state-funded retirement benefits
  • Senate amendments do the following:
    • Moves deadline for Buncombe County Board of Education to establish new electoral districts from February 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
    • Instructs the Buncombe County Board of Education and the Asheville City Board of Education to jointly study a merger of their two school systems.

SB 452: DOI & Ins Law Amd/Revise HS Athletics (primary sponsors: Senators Todd Johnson, R-Union; David Craven, R-Randolph; Danny Britt, R-Robeson)

  • Previously titled NC Department of Insurance Omnibus (Agency bill)
  • Makes substantive changes and revises oversight of interscholastic athletics with similar language found in SB 636: School Athletics Transparency.
  • Some differences from SB 636 v.3 include:
    • Replaces the State Board of Education with the Superintendent of Public Instruction as the entity that enters into the memorandum of understanding with the administering organization (currently the NC High School Athletic Assn.).
    • Expands requirements for the memorandum of understanding.
    • Many of the changes apply beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
  • Passed House by 67-43 vote, Passed Senate by 43-0 vote
  • Click here to read the most recent official bill summary for SB 636, School Athletics Transparency.

The following is the Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) most recent federal education report.

September 18, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include

House Committee Marks Up Education Bills: On Thursday, the House Education and the Workforce Committee (Chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx NC-05) held a markup of several pieces of legislation, including H.R. 4259, the Think Differently about Education Act; H.R. 5349; the Crucial Communism Teaching Act; and H.R. 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act. H.R. 4259 requires government agencies to notify parents of their right to seek assistance from outside experts when determining the individual educational plan (IEP) for their child with disabilities; H.R. 5349 provides additional information to help teachers educate American schoolchildren about the political ideology of communism; and H.R. 5110 clarifies that a prohibition on the use of federal education funds for certain weapons included in last Congress’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act does not apply to training in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports.

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

State News

News & Observer: NC Republicans Reach Budget Deal After Agreement To Drop Casino Expansion
News & Observer: Republicans Release Long Awaited $30 Billion NC Budget With Raises and Tax Cuts
WUNC: 13 Noteworthy Things In The Newly Released NC Budget
WFAE: NC Budget To Expand Private School Vouchers And Strip Power From State Board of Education
WRAL: More NC Families Would Qualify For Private School Vouchers Under Massive Program In State Budget
WRAL: Teacher Raises, School Lunches, Early Graduation, AI, Career Development. Here’s What’s In the NC Budget For Education
Carolina Journal: Legislature Passes $30 Billion Budget, Cooper Will Let Become Law
Carolina Journal: Universal School Choice Makes Its Way Into NC Budget
John Locke Foundation: A Few Education Highlights From the House Budget
NC Newsline: State Board of Education’s Power To Withhold Charter School Funding Restricted Under State Budget Proposal
EdNC: Governor Visits Principal Of The Year: ‘Public Education Has Always Been A Driving Force In North Carolina’s Progress

National News

K-12 Dive: Education Ransomware Attacks Cost Over $53B In Downtime Over Five Years
K-12 Dive: Education Department Issues Details For ARP Spending Extension Requests
Education Week: Top National Assessment of Educational Progress Official Talks About Future Of Nation’s Report Card

There are no education-related committee meetings scheduled at this time.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org

Madison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – September 22, 2023
read more

NCSBA State Budget Alert – September 20, 2023

Much like a student submitting overdue homework, the North Carolina General Assembly has at last unveiled the State budget.

On Tuesday evening, Senate President Pro-Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) convened a press conference to reveal a budget agreement had been reached. Notably, they announced that the casino provisions would not be included in this budget, with no separate vote on casino legislation planned at this time.

Today, lawmakers made the final state budget figures public, and the crucial budget votes are slated for Thursday and Friday.

Click here to access the budget bill.
Click here to access the budget committee (money) report.

The total General Fund allocation for FY 2023-2024 is $29.7 billion, In 2024-25 the allocation increases to $30.8 billion for a two year increase of 11.4%. For K-12 public education, the budget appropriates $11.5 billion in 2023-2024 for an increase of nearly 2% over FY 2022-23. $11.9 billion is appropriated in 2024-2025, for an additional increase of 3.5% over FY 2023-2024.

The following are K-12 education highlights of the two year biennium 2023-2025 state budget. We will provide a more comprehensive summary in our Friday Legislative Update at the end of the week.

Parents Bill of Rights

Due to implementation concerns raised by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) and other groups deadlines for the policies in Part 2 of SB49: Parents’ Bill of Rights have been pushed back to the first day of school after January 1, 2024. The new implementation deadlines can be found in the 2023 Appropriations Act on page 139, Section 7.81(d), line 12.

Additionally, NCSBA sought to continue to allow teachers and other school personnel who provide treatment to students from first aid to emergency care without parental consent. The  fix can be found in the 2023 Appropriations Act on page 138, Section 7.81(c), line 41.

Finally, the budget language also clarifies that parents must be given notice of the opportunity to opt out of any protected information survey given as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey or the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Before this clarification, parents would have been required to opt in. This exemption can be found in the 2023 Appropriations Act on page 138, Section 7.81(b), line 31.

Salary Increases

Teachers and other school employees paid on the Teacher A Salary Schedule will receive an average 7% raise over the biennium. Pay increases for teachers range from 3.6% to 14.7% over the biennium. Raises will be retroactive to July 1, 2023.

Teacher A Salary Schedule

Years of Exp. 2022-23 2023-24 Increase over 2022-23 2024-25 Increase over 2023-24
0 $3,700 $3,900 5.41% $4,100 5.13%
 1 $3,800 $3,984 7.68% $4,175 7.05%
2 $3,900 $4,085 7.50% $4,250 6.68%
3 $4,000 $4,187 7.35% $4,325 5.88%
4 $4,100 $4,289 7.23% $4,400 5.09%
5 $4,200 $4,391 7.10% $4,475 4.34%
6 $4,300 $4,481 6.69% $4,572 4.12%
7 $4,400 $4,572 6.32% $4,663 4.06%
8 $4,500 $4,662 5.95% $4,753 3.95%
9 $4,600 $4,753 5.62% $4,844 3.90%
10 $4,700 $4,843 5.28% $4,935 3.83%
11 $4,800 $4,933 4.96% $5,025 3.76%
12 $4,900 $5,024 4.67% $5,116 3.70%
13 $5,000 $5,114 4.37% $5,206 3.62%
14 $5,100 $5,205 4.10% $5,297 3.58%
15 $5,200 $5,306 4.04% $5,388 3.51%
16 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
17 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
18 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
19 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
20 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
21 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
22 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
23 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
24 $5,200 $5,306 2.04% $5,388 1.54%
25 $5,400 $5,510 5.96% $5,595 5.45%
26+ $5,400 $5,510 2.04% $5,595 1.54%

With the exception of school bus drivers, school employees not paid on the teacher salary schedule including principals, central office staff and non-certified personnel will receive an across-the-board salary increase of 4% in 2023-2024 and additional across-the-board salary increase of 3% in 2024-2025. Bus drivers will receive an additional 2% in 2023-2024.

Proposed salary schedule for principals:

2023-2024 Principal Annual Salary Schedule
Avg. Daily Membership            Base             Met Growth         Exceeded Growth
0-200                                         $75,526        $83,078                  $90,631
201-400                                      $79,302        $87,232                  $95,162
401-700                                      $83,078        $91,386                  $99,694
701-1,000                                   $86,855        $95,540                  $104,226
1,001-1,600                                $90,631        $99,694                  $108,757
1,601+                                        $94,407        $103,848                $113,288

2024-2025 Principal Annual Salary Schedule
Avg. Daily Membership            Base             Met Growth         Exceeded Growth 0-200                                          $77,792        $85,570                  $93,350
201-400                                      $81,681        $89,849                  $98,017
401-700                                      $85,570        $94,128                  $102,685
701-1,000                                   $89,461        $98,406                  $107,353
1,001-1,600                                $93,350        $102,685                $112,020
1,601+                                        $97,239        $106,963                $116,687

Additionally, principals can receive a bonus if their school is in the top 50% for growth. Those bonuses are as follows:

2023-2024 Principal Bonus Schedule
Statewide Growth Percentage                                             Bonus
Top 5%                                                                                $15,000
Top 10%                                                                              $10,000
Top 15%                                                                              $5,000
Top 20%                                                                              $2,500
Top 50%                                                                              $1,000

Other pay highlights include:

  • School psychologists, speech pathologists and audiologists with a master’s degree or higher shall receive a supplement of 10% of their monthly salary, plus an additional $350 per month.
  • Small and low wealth counties receive dollar for dollar match from DPI to provide teacher signing bonuses up to $1000.
  • Rural school districts will receive an extra $30 million for teacher supplements.

Ethics Training

One of the key items on the NCSBA Legislative Agenda was the implementation of ethics training. We are delighted to report that these provisions have found their place in the final state budget. The budget language explicitly states, “Every employee of a local school administrative unit involved in the creation or management of contracts, as specified in G.S. 14-234, shall undergo a minimum of two hours of conflicts of interest training pertaining to the formulation and administration of contracts.” For comprehensive details on this particular provision, please refer to Section 7.41(a) of the 2023 Appropriations Act, located on page 105, line 30.

Moreover, there are several additional budget provisions that warrant highlighting:

Section 7.27 School Health Personnel Allotment (pages 96-97)

  • Removes the requirement for local boards of education to provide at least one school psychologist and requires local boards of education to instead provide school health support services in accordance with G.S. 115C-316.5
  • Reflects the transfer of school nurse, counselor, and social worker positions from the Instructional Support Allotment to the School Psychologist Allotment, which will be redesignated as the School Health Personnel Allotment
  • Encourages school districts to fill these positions with full-time, permanent employees but allows the allocation to be converted to a dollar equivalent to contract with a third party to provide relevant services
  • Prohibits the SBE from requiring that a school nurse obtain a four-year degree as a condition of employment
  • Lists the duties of school counselors and career development coordinators

Section 7.36 School Safety Grants (page 100)

  • Continues the School Safety Grants Program, which is used to improve safety in PSUs by providing grants for (i) services for students in crisis, (ii) school safety training, (iii) safety equipment in schools, and (iv) subsidizing the School Resource Officer Grants Program
  • $35 million appropriated per year over the biennium

Section 7.44 Teacher Assistant Tuition Reimbursement Program (pages 110-112)

  • Expands the Teacher Assistant Tuition Reimbursement Program to all school districts and no longer limits districts from having more than five participants per year
  • Lists requirements for applications, award of funds, selection of teacher assistants, and local reporting

Section 7.44A Teacher Apprentice Grant Program (page 112)

  • Establishes the Teacher Apprentice Grant Program to provide grants to local school districts to award funds for (i) tuition at educator preparation programs for eligible 2023 NCSBA teacher apprentices and (ii) salary supplements for teacher apprentices who become teachers in the district
  • Awards up to $4,600 per semester for up to four academic years

Section 7.45 Economically Disadvantaged Public School Support Funds (page 114)

  • Requires DPI to establish the Economically Disadvantaged Public Schools Support Program to provide funds to support the efforts of qualifying economically disadvantaged public schools to continue to exceed growth in subsequent school years
  • Clarifies that the funds associated with this Program will supplement and not supplant local funds

Section 7.55 CTE Modernization & Expansion (page 118)

Of the funds appropriated to DPI, up to $2,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium shall be used to create a grant program for modernization of Career and Technical Education programming, materials, training, and professional development for courses conducted in grades six through 12

Section 7.58 Eliminate Student Copay for Reduced-Price Meals (page 119)

  • Funds appropriated from the General Fund to DPI for reduced-price school meal copays shall be used to provide school breakfasts and lunches at no cost to students of all grade levels that qualify for reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program in the current school year
  • If the funds are insufficient to provide school meals at no cost to students qualifying for reduced-price meals, allows DPI to use funds appropriated to the State Aid for Public School fund Section

7.59 CEP Meal Program Expansion Pilot (pages 119-120)

  • Requires DPI to establish a pilot to expand public school participation in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program to increase student access to free school breakfast and lunch
  • Requires the pilot to be available for the 2024-25 fiscal year with the intent of continuing the pilot through the 2025-27 biennium

7.73 Limited Teacher Licensure Changes  (page 133-134)

  • Changes the three-year limited license for teachers from nonrenewable to renewable
  • Requires teachers who are renewing a limited license to submit an affidavit from the employing local board of education that is signed by both the principal and the superintendent for the school to which the teacher is currently assigned
  • Requires the affidavit to validate specific criteria

7.74 Out-of-State Teacher License Reciprocity (pages 134)

  • Modifies the requirements for an out-of-state license applicant by requiring the State Board of Education to grant a Continuing Professional License (CPL) to a teacher licensed in another state with substantially similar licensure requirements who has at least three years of teaching experience and is in good standing with the other state

Section 8A.6 Expand Eligibility for Opportunity Scholarships (pages 187-196)

  • Makes all NC K-12 students eligible for Opportunity Scholarships
  • Replaces opportunity income requirements with a sliding scale based on household income as follows:
  • Incomes not in excess of 100% of the amount required to qualify for federal free or reduced lunch – 100% of tuition per student
  • Incomes not in excess of 200% of the amount required to qualify for federal free or reduced lunch – 90% of tuition per student
  • Incomes between 200% and 450% of amount required to qualify for federal free or reduced lunch – 60% of tuition per student
  • Section 8A.6 (e) creates accountability for the Opportunity Scholarship program through standardized testing. Tests shall be administered to all eligible students enrolled in grades three and 3 higher whose tuition and fees are paid in whole or in part with a scholarship grant as follows:
  •  a. The nationally standardized test designated by the Authority in grades three and eight.
  • b. The ACT in grade 11.
  • Prohibits local boards of education to require more credits to graduate than what is required by the State Board of Education (currently, 22 credits).

For the 2032-33 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter, $520.4 million will be appropriated to the Program

Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org

Madison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
N.C. School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA State Budget Alert – September 20, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – September 15, 2023

The heat wave has finally broken, but tempers continue to flare within the General Assembly as North Carolina finds itself more than two months overdue in passing a state budget.

Although legislative leaders planned for budget votes this week, no action was taken. At the heart of this delay lies the divisive issue of legalizing brick-and-mortar casinos in four economically challenged counties. The Senate sees the potential revenue from legalized casinos as the funding source to pay for their tax cuts which were deeper than what the House proposed. As such, President Pro-Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) supports incorporating this targeted casino legalization into the budget; however, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) contends there aren’t sufficient Republican votes within his chamber to pass a budget inclusive of casino legalization.

This week, the House Republican Caucus met for nearly four hours discussing the casino provisions behind closed doors but could not get a majority of its members on board. Nevertheless, both chambers are set to convene in the coming week. Amidst the fiery debates between the two chambers over the casino issue, some legislative activity did manage to take place during the week.

Education Bills Passed By The Senate

HB 432: Principal Licensure Changes (primary sponsors: Representatives David Willis, R-Union; Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke; Tricia Cotham, D-Mecklenburg; John Torbett, R-Gaston)

  • Passed Senate by a 47-0 vote, sent back to House for concurrence
  • Updates principal licensure requirements
  • Eliminates the requirement that principals must have at least four years of classroom teaching experience and instead requires principals to have at least four years of experience as a “licensed professional educator”
  • Requires the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission to develop a portfolio-based assessment for prospective principals
  • Requires an internship of at least 500 hours rather than a yearlong internship

Local Conference Committee Reports With Votes

HB 5: Local Omnibus Changes

  • Bill previously titled Fuquay-Varina/Clemmons Deannexations
  • Section 15 of new bill impacts Buncombe County and Asheville City school districts
    • Changes effective dates for establishing new electoral districts for Buncombe County Board of Education as outlined in HB 66/S.L. 2023-72.
      • The old date was February 1, 2024 and the new date is June 30, 2024
    • Authorizes the Buncombe County Board of Education and the Asheville City Board of Education to jointly study the feasibility of a merger between those two boards
  • Passed second reading in the Senate by a 34-10 vote, final vote calendared for Tuesday September 19, with a final House vote expected the same day

The following is the Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) most recent federal education report.

September 11, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include

Congress Has Yet To Pass A Budget As Shutdown Deadline Approaches: Both chambers of Congress are back from their August recess. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed all 12 of its spending bills before the recess with bipartisan support. The House has only approved one FY 2024 spending bill on the floor—the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs package—and only a handful have won approval from the full committee. The spending bills must be passed by both chambers before the start of the new federal fiscal year on October 1 – something that is looking increasingly unlikely.

Education Department Has New Kindergarten Initiative: The U.S. Department of Education has launched the Kindergarten Sturdy Bridge Learning Community, “a multi-state effort to make kindergarten a transformational experience at the start of each student’s formal education journey,” the press release states. The department will invite state education agencies and local education agencies to participate in a “community of practice” where they can learn from their peers, receive technical assistance, and share best practices to enhance the kindergarten experience including the transitions into kindergarten and 1st  grade.

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

State News

News & Observer: NC Teachers and Workers Are ‘Mad and Frustrated’ As GOP Casino Fight Delays Raises
WUNC: As State Budget Negotiations Stall, Understaffed Schools Await Funding
WUNC: Casino Disagreement Leaves NC Without Budget As Republicans Trade Barbs
WRAL: Democrats Slam Republicans Over Proposed Casinos and Budget Delay
WRAL: Budget Talks At An Impasse: What Happens Next
News & Observer: NC Schools Have More Than 3,500 Teaching Vacancies. How Can The State Get More Teachers?
WFDD: Guilford County Board of Education Hires Legal Counsel To Handle Dispute Over District 3 Seat
WFAE: Can Joy Help Boost Test Scores? CMS Leaders Say Yes
WFAE: CMS Board Considers New Goals For Reading, Math, Graduating With a Plan
WUNC: Republican Lawmakers in NC Tap Breaks On Confidential Voting Records Bill
WRAL: NC Republicans Delay Vote On Key Election Bill
Carolina Journal: NC Pre-K Centers To Gain $8 Million From Government Programs
EdNC: Mental Health, School Safety and More: Student Insights At the Start Of A New Year
Best NC: Study On Teacher Pay In North Carolina

National News

K-12 Dive: Public Engagement Is A Rising Priority In School Communications
Education Week: Older Students Running Out of Time For Academic Recovery
Washington Post: A Program To Cut School Suspensions In Chicago Worked Very, Very Well. Here’s How

There are no education-related committee meetings scheduled at this time.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org

Madison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – September 15, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – September 8, 2023

As school bells chime, we find ourselves on the cusp of autumn, and hopefully the eagerly anticipated State budget is not far behind. Although the Senate remained relatively inactive this week, House members briefly convened for a handful of votes on Tuesday. During that time, Speaker Moore announced that he intends to hold votes on the State budget next week.

While Jones Street may have seen limited action, the NC State Board of Education (Board) made significant strides to compensate. Notable highlights include a policy adjustment for charter school funding review and a comprehensive presentation by Superintendent Truitt on school testing data and post-pandemic learning loss recovery. Both of these subjects garnered extensive media coverage, and we’ve provided a summarized account of the Board meeting below.

State Board of Education Meeting

The State Board of Education met Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The Board approved the following:

  • New SBE Policy on Funding and Accountability for Charter Schools (CHTR-022)
  • Student Test Performance Results for the 2022-23 School Year
  • Report on Cohort Graduation Rate for the 2022-23 School Year
  • Annual Required Reports To The General Assembly
  • Updated Policies for the Schools for Deaf and Blind (2023-24 School Year)
  • Interscholastic Athletics Rules
  • Contracts over $500,000
  • Allotment Policy Manual Revisions (ALOT-003)
  • Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Competitive Summer Enhancement Grant Program

New SBE Policy on Funding and Accountability for Charter Schools (CHTR-022): After extensive discussion, the State Board approved a new policy addressing funding and accountability for Charter Schools with an eight to three vote. Under the new policy, the Charter School Review Board, recently established by the NC General Assembly (S.L. 2023-110), must submit all approved applications and renewals for charter schools to the State Board. The State Board will then review those documents to ensure the schools are compliant with state and federal funding requirements.

The policy also provides that the State Board may request regular reports on charter school finance, legal compliance, and student performance consistent with constitutional and statutory duties.

For more details, you can review the full policy document here and an accompanying article here.

Student Test Performance Results for the 2022-23 School Year: The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released student test results for the 2022-23 school year, along with corresponding letter grades for schools. Notably, North Carolina students are making steady strides in reclaiming the educational ground lost due to the pandemic, with improvements evident across virtually all grade levels, subject areas, and demographic subgroups. While the scores have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, there is clear progress.  More than one in four of the State’s 2,598 public schools earned a School Performance Grade of an A or B; with nearly two out of every three receiving a C or better.

For more details, you can review the presentation on the 2022-23 Accountability Reports here and access the full report here. For DPI’s press release, click here.

Report on Cohort Graduation Rate for the 2022-23 School Year: The Board approved a report on the cohort graduation rate report for the 2022-23 school year, which provides insights into the percentage of students within the adjusted cohort who successfully graduate with a regular high school diploma within a four-year timeframe. You can access the full report by clicking here.

Annual Required Reports to the General Assembly: The Board approved the following annual reports that are required to be submitted to the General Assembly:

(1) Educational Performance of Children with Disabilities and Implementation of Policies to Improve Performance Outcomes for Students with Disabilities (see report here); (2) Career and College-Ready Graduate Program (see presentation here and report here); (3) Computer Science Participation in Schools (see report here); (4) 2022-23 Fifth Grade Career Awareness Program (see presentation here and report here); (5) Statewide Trends in Student Digital Learning Access (see report here); (6) Statewide summary of the Remote Instruction Plans submitted to DPI for the 2022-23 school year (see report here); (7) Annual census of all children with disabilities residing in the state (see report here); (8) Professional Educator Preparation Standards Commission 2022-23 Annual Report (see presentation here and report here); (9) New student data, whether aggregate data, de-identified data, or personally identifiable student data, included or proposed for inclusion in the student data system for the current school year and changes to existing data collections for the student data system required for any reason (see report here); and(10) State Agency Mobile Device data (see report here).

Updated Policies for the Schools for Deaf and Blind (2023-24 School Year): This action follows the Board’s previous review of policies setting forth admission criteria and procedures. Legal counsel recommended and the Board approved changes to the policy manual. One policy is to be repealed and the process to remove outdated administrative rules is initiated. In addition, the Board has approved policy ESDB–030, which sets forth admissions criteria and procedures for both schools and policy ESDB–031, which defines coverage areas for the eastern and western schools.

Interscholastic Athletics Rules: The Board approved updated modifications to eligibility requirements for participation in interscholastic athletics. The Board also approved modifications  to the reporting requirements for violations of interscholastic athletic rules and penalty rules for interscholastic athletics.

Contracts over $500,000:  The Board approved four contracts each for services involving more than $500,000 in funds.  The Board received reports and approved the following: “Identity Automation Contract” renewal; a contract with UNC at Chapel Hill’s NC Institute for Public Health for specialized instruction; an IES grant assessing long-term impacts of school extension programs on student re-engagement; and a leadership training and support program for low performing schools.

Allotment Policy Manual Revisions (ALOT-003): The Division of School Business proposed changes to the NC Public Schools Allotment Policy Manual which addresses the following: (1) funding for the state school bus replacement program; (2) federal grant programs used to support improvement of health, academic achievement, and well-being of students; and (3) COVID-19 funds used for employing or contracting with specialized instructional support personnel to provide physical and mental health support services for students. To access the proposed changes, click here.

Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Competitive Summer Enhancement Grant Program: The Board approved using the $1.4 million supplemental 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) grant funds awarded under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to fund a CCLC Competitive Summer Enhancement Grant Program for those organizations who are currently receiving these funds. The grant program will fund summer intensive programs designed to improve students’ access to innovative learning strategies focused on reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing student engagement. The RFP will be released Monday, September 11, with technical assistance sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. The deadline to submit the application is October 31st. Click here for more information. See the application here and the RFP here.

The Board also approved the following items that were reviewed at last month’s meeting:

  • State Summary of Academic Gains in Restart Schools and Research Study: Learning Loss and Recovery in Restart Schools (December 2022 Annual Report)
  • NC Public School Employees Benefit and Employment Policies (BENF-001)
  • Licensure Renewal Requirements (LICN-005)

State Summary of Academic Gains in Restart Schools and Research Study: Learning Loss and Recovery in Restart Schools (December 2022 Annual Report) – The Board approved a report highlighting the performance of 159 schools approved by the State Board for Restart. Among these schools, 21 surpassed expectations in terms of academic gains, while 95 met expectations, and 32 fell short of meeting expectations. For a deeper dive into the specifics, please click here.

NC Public School Employees Benefits and Employment Policy Manual (BENF-001): The Board approved provisions pertaining to eligibility for paid parental leave (S.L. 2023-14) and the use of personal leave. In response to concerns expressed by board members during last month’s discussions, legal staff confirmed that part-time employees are entitled to either eight or four weeks of leave, with their salary adjusted proportionally based on the percentage of a full-time position they occupy.  Legal staff also reported that the language on use of personal leave reflects statutory requirements. Teachers will not be docked pay if they give a reason for the request of personal leave. If no substitute is hired for a teacher, then any substitute deduction will be refunded to the teacher. For more details, see presentation on the paid parental leave policy here.  For changes to the Benefits and Employment Policy Manual, click here.

Licensure Renewal Requirements Policy Amendment (LICN-005): The Board approved updated terminology to clarify revisions to the renewal requirements for expired Continuing Professional License (CPL) reviewed last month. Those with expired CPLs will be eligible for a three-year professional license with a five-year renewal cycle upon completion of eight renewal credits during the three-year period. The lifetime license will replace the retirement license. For more details, click here.  To access the report from last month, click here.

This month, the Board also received these reports:

  • State Superintendent’s Report
  • Standards Revision Updates
  • North Carolina Personalized Assessment Tool Update (NCPAT)
  • Alternative Schools’ Accountability Model Options
  • Recommendations of the Whole Child NC Advisory Committee
  • Annual Report on Full Time Equivalency

State Superintendent’s Report:  Superintendent Truitt’s report included a memo sent to superintendents in August on implementation of the new Parents’ Bill of Rights legislation (S.L. 2023-106). See memo here. Truitt indicated the department is advocating for the legislature to give schools until January to implement the legislation. She hopes this will appear in the budget bill and that the State Board will be able to discuss this next month. Local board of education representative Henry Mercer raised his concern about the time required for teachers to obtain permission to treat certain medical emergencies under the legislation. Chairman Davis asked about and Superintendent Truitt indicated funding should be available through the center for safer schools for the threat assessment teams schools are required to have in the recent legislative mandate.  The Superintendent praised the improved test scores in kindergarten and elementary reading in Halifax County Schools.

Standards Revision Updates:  DPI staff provided the monthly update on the progress of revising standards for K-12 Healthful Living, Arts, Guidance, and World Language standards. Staff reported that surveys on Healthful Living will close September 18, 2023. Surveys on Guidance close September 10. The Standards Writing Team for Arts met July 17th and is completing the first draft of standards. Surveys on World Language standards will be out soon. See full report here.

North Carolina Personalized Assessment Tool Update (NCPAT):  As authorized by the U. S. Department of Education and at the direction of the legislature in 2019, DPI is developing the North Carolina Personalized Assessment Tool (NCPAT) with the potential of statewide implementation for grades 4 and 7 in the 2023–24 school year. The proposed NCPAT provides for state mandated assessments to be administered in multiple short testing events throughout the school year. DPI reports that this through-grade component provides a reliable connection between student performance and classroom activity throughout the year. Staff emphasized that this is comparable to the current assessment, and they have the same expectations. The benefit is that teachers will be able to assess students along the way to see where they are and adjust as needed to promote learning. Staff indicated that it will be a local decision whether a PSU wants to use the multi-stage assessment. DPI staff emphasized this will improve the testing experience for students and allow PSUs to obtain a more balanced assessment. DPI will share plans with the state October 6 and plans to go forward with implementation this year. The full report is here.

Alternative Schools’ Accountability Model Options:  DPI reviewed the modified accountability system alternatives selected in several districts for this school year. The requests will be back for State Board approval in October. See selections here.

Recommendations of the Whole Child NC Advisory Committee:  In September 2015, the State Board of Education (SBE) in policy ADVS-009 established the council, now renamed the Whole Child NC Advisory Council. This advisory council meets regularly to recommend how to best facilitate access for all public school children to receive the opportunity for a sound, basic education. The council met five times in 2022-23 to identify priorities for the year ahead and beyond. New chair, Kella Hatcher, JD, who is also the Executive Director of NC Child Fatality Task Force, and other members of the council spoke to the importance of specialized instructional support personnel such as school counselors, social workers, nurses, and psychologists (SISP). The report provided information on the mental health of NC High School Students. Committee priorities include endorsing funding requests for SISP and expanding school-based access to Health Services. Superintendent Truitt noted that parental engagement and having enough credentialed candidates are key. Henry Mercer, the local board advisor, shared about a program in his district that has been successful in getting a number of students  back in school. See report here.

Annual Report on Full Time Equivalency:  This annual report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee provides data disaggregated by enrollment in courses offered by the public school units and those offered through other dual enrollment and joint programs, including North Carolina Virtual Public School, institutions of higher education, and nonpublic schools. See presentation here.

The following is the Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) most recent federal education report.

September 5, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include

Department of Education Convenes Educator Diversity Meetings: The US Department of Education is hosting meetings in Denver, CO to focus on educator diversity. In October, the Department will bring together leaders in effective educator development to discuss key issues related to promoting educator diversity. Two events are taking place; the Teach to Lead Summit and the Conference on Equity In Opportunity. Both are designed to lift effective practices and obtain additional insights from participating educators and organizations about how to elevate educator diversity in our nation’s schools. Click here for more information.

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

State News

WNCN: ‘The Epicenter of Economic Growth’: Cooper Visits Chatham County School To Deliver School Supplies, Encourage Education
News & Observer: Test Results Are In For the 2022-23 School Year. See How Every NC Public School Fared
News & Observer: NC Board Lost the Power To Approve Charter Schools. So Now It Wants to Control Funding
News & Observer: NC Schools Want Delay In Enacting ‘Parents Bill of Rights.’ Will They Get More Time?
News & Observer: Why Are So Many Schools Closing Because Of the Heat. What’s Behind All the AC Problems?
North State Journal: Proposed State Board of Education Policy Uses Funding To Circumvent Charter Review Board
North State Journal: Cooper Announces $1M for Bus Driver Training
North State Journal: NC’s Second-Largest School District Sues Social Media Companies
WRAL: State Board of Education Votes To Review Funding Compliance for New Charter Schools
WRAL: NC School Test Scores Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
WRAL: Is Learning Recovery Happening In North Carolina? Experts Find Reasons For Optimism – and Room For Improvement – In New Test Data
WFAE: NC Schools Inch Toward Recovery, But Disparities and Pandemic Setbacks Linger
WFAE: For CMS and Nearby Districts, NC School Data Brings Bragging Rights, Warning Signs
EdNC: State Board Adopts Charter School Funding Policy Ahead of First Meeting of Newly-Enacted Charter School Review Board
EdNC: State Board of Education Calls For Closer Look at Successful Restart Schools
EdNC: Data Released On Back To School Vacancies
EdNC: Perspective: Two Years Into Improving Reading Outcomes for North Carolina’s Students
WUNC: How Are Students Recovering Since the Pandemic Began? Latest Statewide Test Data Released
The Center Square: Superintendent, Others Criticize Late-Arriving Policy Change On Charters
NC Newsline: State Board of Education Reclaims Charter School Authority With New Policy

National News

K-12 Dive: Final Title IX Rules Likely To Be Pushed Beyond October
Associated Press: The Pandemic Widened Gaps In Reading. Can One Teacher ‘Do Something About That?’
Education Week: Every Student Needs School Supplies. But Who Pays For Them?
Education Week: How To Find (And Keep) Substitutes
Washington Post: The Heat Wave Is Shutting Schools Down Just As Kids Return To Class
New York Times: Dependence On Tech Caused ‘Staggering’ Education Inequality UN Agency Says

There are no education-related committee meetings scheduled at this time.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.orgMadison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.orgRob Black
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
rblack@ncsba.org
Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – September 8, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – September 1, 2023

As we begin the new school year, districts across the state are waiting on a state budget. Legislators are expected to reconvene the week of September 11th – it was the expectation of the House and Senate leadership before their two week break that the state budget would be released upon their return.

While there is no legislative action to report, the weekly update still has you covered with regard to fun stuff to read at the beach over Labor Day. Every year we publish our legislative session summaries. These summaries break down every education-related bill – both statewide and local – that has become law. The summaries will be regularly updated to include the new budget and any other education-related legislation between now and the end of session. Click here to read this year’s session summary.

The Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) federal education report is taking a break as Congress is on its annual August recess. New updates will be published after Labor Day

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

State News
News & Observer: NC Has a School Bus Driver Shortage. Gov. Cooper Says Over $1M Is Needed To Fix It
News & Record: Guilford County School Ranked As Best Public High School In Nation
Charlotte Observer: Diocese of Charlotte Says NC Catholic School Enrollment Is Hitting New Records
Rocky Mount Telegram: State Education Superintendent Addresses Local Educators
NC Health News: NC Students Fell Behind In Required Vaccinations During the Pandemic. Some – Not All – Are Catching Up
NC Health News: As Climate Change Makes Excessive Heat More Routine, NC Schools Forced To Weigh Student, Athlete Safety
WFAE: Gov. Roy Cooper Comes To Charlotte To Address Statewide Bus Driver Shortages
WFAE: As Classes Resume In Sweltering Heat, Many Schools Lack Air Conditioning
WFAE: Schools Scramble For Scarce Teachers As Kids Stream Back to NC Classrooms
Education NC: Public Schools Promising Practices Heading Into the New School Year

National News
K-12 Dive: Voters Dissatisfied With Local School Boards
Education Week: School District’s Anti-CRT Resolution Prompts Lawsuit From Teachers and Students
Education Week: Third Grade Reading Retention: Why the Research Is Complicated

There are no committee meetings until the legislature reconvenes in mid-September.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.orgMadison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – September 1, 2023
read more

NCSBA Legislative Update – August 25, 2023

While the NC General Assembly continued its summer pause this week with no meetings or legislative sessions, budget negotiations did continue. Leadership from both chambers has indicated that they hope to achieve final passage of the state budget the week of September 11th.

In the meantime, the NCSBA Government Relations team continues to work with legislative leaders and staff on implementation issues surrounding SB 49: Parents’ Bill of Rights (SL 2023-106).

WNCN: ‘Timing Issues’ Implementing NC Parental Rights Law As School Starts

On both issues, the budget and SB49, we’ll certainly keep you updated with the latest information.

The following is the Consortium of State School Boards Association’s (COSSBA) most recent federal education report. The United States Congress is enjoying its annual August recess and as such, federal activity is very light.

August 21, 2023 Headlines From the Weekly Report Include:

Federal School Safety Resources Highlighted: Four federal cabinet agencies have launched a public awareness campaign to highlight the various federal school safety resources that are available. The Department of Homeland Security, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice announced the campaign in a press release.

The release stated, “Through the campaign, the Administration will educate school administrators and personnel, teachers, parents and guardians, and state and local government officials about school safety resources available at SchoolSafety.gov. The goal is to advance the mission and maximize the benefits of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) by accelerating and enhancing the implementation of programs and initiatives that will help families, communities, and schools build capacity and establish and expand successful school safety strategies. The campaign is being launched for the back-to-school season to ensure schools have the tools they need to create and sustain welcoming, safe, and supportive learning environments for students and educators.”

 

 

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

State News
News & Observer: NC Schools Must Now Follow ‘Parents Bill of Rights.” Here’s How Things Could Change
News & Observer: Wake Still Needs 300 Teachers As School Year Nears. But That’s Good News, Leaders Say
Carolina Journal: Orange County School Impact Fee Fight Appealed to NC Supreme Court
Carolina Journal: Wilson Schools Pension Spiking Ruling Could Impact Other Cases
WFAE: CMS Response To Parents Rights Bill Sparks Praise and Calls For Defiance
WFAE: Education Bills But No Budget; Plus, Back To School Message Barrage
WRAL: AAA – 47% of NC Drivers Admit to Speeding In A School Zone
WRAL: School Districts Vary On Chat GPT, From Embracing It To Suspension
Morganton News Herald: One Book Removed, One Book Stays In Catawba Schools After Heated 5-Hour Meeting
The Center Square: Lightning Rod Leaders (Rep. Cotham, Rep. Torbett) Among 19 Nationally Honored
WNCN: ‘Timing Issues’ Implementing NC Parental Rights Law As School Starts

National News
K-12 Dive: Federal Proposal Could Reshape How Districts Accommodate Pregnant Employees
Axios: Why Schools Across America Are Building Teacher Housing
Education Week: School Districts Prepare for Major Staffing Cuts As ESSR Winds Down
Education Week: 4 Day School Weeks Surge In Popularity Among American Adults

There are no committee meetings until the legislature reconvenes in mid-September.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org

Madison Skeens
Assistant Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
mskeens@ncsba.org

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

Christina DavoileNCSBA Legislative Update – August 25, 2023
read more