Legislative Updates & Alerts

  1. home
  2. blog
  3. Legislative Updates & Alerts
NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – MARCH 21, 2025

NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – MARCH 21, 2025

March 24, 2025 administrator
 

March 21, 2025
Once again, there was no shortage of education headlines this week. The Helene Recovery bill became law, bringing much needed funds to western North Carolina. Also, the latest Opportunity Scholarship Program (private school vouchers) report was released. The number of scholarship recipients across the state grew by more than 146% to about 80,000 students this school year compared to the year before. Based on applications for the next school year, that number is expected to grow another roughly 50%. Here’s a look inside more of the NCSEAA numbers from the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division spreadsheet:

  • Almost 1/3 of all scholarship recipients were from Wake, Mecklenburg, and Guilford counties
  • 26 counties had a higher percentage of voucher recipients coming from Tier 3 households earning between $115,440-$259,750 than from Tier 1 households earning less than $57,720/yr
  • 7 counties had a higher percentage of voucher recipients coming from Tier 3 and 4 households earning more than $115,440 than from Tier 1 and 2 households making less than that amount.
  • 6 counties had a higher percentage of voucher recipients coming from Tier 4 households earning more than $259,750 than from Tier 1 households earning less than $57,720/yr
  • (More details can be found in the articles section of this update)

On the federal level, President Trump cut the U.S. Department of Education’s workforce in half last week. This week, the President signed an Executive Order titled, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities” (read here). The order begins the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education with the goal of shutting it down, which requires congressional action. To see State Superintendent Mo Green’s statement on the development, click here. To read more on this issue, view the articles section of this update.
Additionally, this week, Governor Josh Stein unveiled his 2025-2027 statewide budget recommendations, including more than an additional $2 billion for public education over the next 2 years. In total, Governor Stein’s budget proposal recommends spending $33.6 billion in the first year (an increase of 6.3% from last year’s total) and $34.3 billion in the second year. Among the education-related items, Stein recommended:

  • Increasing the starting teacher salary to $53,000 in year 2
  • Increasing average teacher pay by 10.6% and reinstating master’s pay
  • Creating 1,000 new slots in NC Pre-K
  • Eliminating the cap for students with disabilities
  • Funding for additional school nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists
  • Funding for school resource officers (SROs) and grants for school safety
  • Providing a $4 billion school construction bond for public schools (learn more here)
  • Ending the Opportunity Scholarship Program for households making over $115,000 annually and providing no new awards
  • Funding for 1:1 device-to-student ratios and implementing a pilot program to reduce distractions caused by cellphones
  • Providing free school breakfast for all students

To view the full education budget proposal, click here.

Alongside other provisions, the first year of Stein’s budget would also see a 2% pay raise and $1,000 bonus for state employees and a cost-of-living increase and improved benefits for retirees. While the General Assembly doesn’t have to act on any recommendations made by the Governor, some bipartisan recommendations may ultimately find their way into the State budget. To view the budget proposal presentation, click here. To view the full budget, click here.
 

 

Statewide Bills
Statewide Bills Signed Into Law by the Governor:

S.L. 2025-2 // HB 47: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I (Primary Sponsors: Representatives John Bell, R-Wayne; Dudley Greene, R-McDowell)

  • Provides western North Carolina with an additional $524 million to aid the region’s recovery efforts. This includes $9 million to DPI for a School Extension Learning Recovery Program.

 

Statewide Bills Passed by the House, Sent to the Senate:

HB 95: Threaten Elected Official/Increase Punishment (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort; Ben Moss, R-Richmond; Jay Adams, R-Catawba; Diane Wheatley, R-Cumberland)

  • Extends protections and punishments related to threats against elected officers to include local elected officers; increases penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony.

HB 186 (=SB 312): The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Brian Biggs, R-Randolph; Jennifer Balkcom, R-Henderson; Neal Jackson, R-Moore)

  • Requires the pledge of allegiance to be recited daily in each public school classroom within one hour of the beginning of the school’s instructional day.
  • Requires the pledge of allegiance at the beginning of meetings of the State Board of Education and local boards of education.
  • This bill does not require any person to stand, salute the flag, or recite the pledge.

 

Statewide Bills Moving In the House:

HB 56: Publish Central Office Employment Information (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Erin Pare, R-Wake; Donnie Loftis, R-Gaston; Jeff Zenger, R-Forsyth; Steve Tyson, R-Craven)

  • Requires local boards of education to digitally publish a list of information for all central office positions and certain third-party contractors, including:

·        Total compensation

·        Position title and description

·        Date the position was created

·        Department, unit, or office in which the position is located

·        Number of positions associated with each title

·        Number of central office employees in each department, unit, or office

HB 87: Cell Phone-Free Education (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Neal Jackson, R-Moore; Brian Biggs, R-Randolph; Mike Schietzelt, R-Wake; Blair Eddins, R-Wilkes)

  • Requires local school boards and other governing bodies of public schools to adopt a cellphone policy to eliminate or severely restrict student access to cellphones during instructional time.
  • Requires governing bodies to notify parents and students of the cell phone policy at the beginning of each school year.

HB 171: Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI (Primary Sponsors: Brenden Jones, R-Columbus; Neal Jackson, R-Moore; Jarrod Lowery, R-Robeson; Blair Eddins, R-Wilkes)

  • Prohibits State agencies and units of local government from supporting or funding workplace DEI programs, or policies, including employment, dedicated DEI staff positions or offices, or DEI training.
  • Clarifies financial, criminal, and professional penalties for violations.
  • Requires compliance with applicable legal protections (i.e., Title IX, First Amendment rights, etc.)

HB 227: U.S. & N.C. Flags/Made In USA (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Edward Goodwin, R-Chowan; Allen Chesser, R-Nash; Dennis Riddell, R-Alamance; Charles Smith, D-Cumberland )

  • Prevents PSUs and other State institutions from using public funds to purchase US flags or NC flags unless the flags were 100% manufactured in the United States.

HB 378: Leon’s Law (Dual Enrollment Info Parents) (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Ray Pickett, R-Watauga; Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg; Ya Liu, D-Wake; Zack Hawkins, D-Durham)

  • Requires community colleges to make educational records for dependent minor students automatically available to their parents or guardians. Students must complete a form acknowledging this requirement before enrolling in a course.

 

Statewide House Bills Filed:

HB 411: Reduce Early Voting Period for Primaries (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Neal Jackson, R-Moore; Steve Tyson, R-Craven; Wyatt Gable, R-Onslow; Brian Biggs, R-Randolph)

  • Shortens early voting periods for a primary election.
  • Apply to elections held on or after January 1, 2026.

HB 414: 1-to-1 Credit for Career and College Promise (Primary Sponsors: Representatives David Willis, R-Union; Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg; Brian Biggs, R-Randolph; Ray Pickett, R-Watauga)

  • Requires the State Board of Education to collaboratively develop courses to be offered at community colleges that align with the high school core graduation requirements for 1-to-1 credit.

HB 415: Split Math Courses and Change Math Grad. Reqs (Primary Sponsors: Representatives David Willis, R-Union; Brian Biggs, R-Randolph; Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg; Heather Rhyne, R-Lincoln)

  • Requires the State Board of Education to develop a course of study for high school mathematics that spreads the content standards of NC Math 1 and NC Math 2 into four separate courses and modifies graduation requirements. Requires completion of an end-of-course test for NC Math 2 but not NC Math 3.

HB 418: K-5 Performing and Visual Arts Requirement (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Becky Carney, D-Mecklenburg; Kyle Hall, R-Stokes; Erin Paré, R-Wake)

  • Requires local school administrative units to provide students in grades K-5 with instruction in music, dance, or theatre and visual arts.
  • Requirements for instruction include:
    • Occur during at least one instructional day out of every five
    • Be taught by at least one licensed music, dance, or theatre arts education/visual arts education instructor (as appropriate)

HB 420: Sound Basic Education for Every Child (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Julie von Haefen, R-Wake; Cynthia Ball, D-Wake; Zack Hawkins, D-Durham; Lindsey Prather, D-Buncombe)

  • This 49-page bill provides appropriations and directives related to:
    • Teacher licensure and compensation
    • Teacher recruitment and retention
    • School health personnel
    • Principal/assistant principal preparation and compensation
    • Funding flexibility
    • Funding for students with disabilities and limited English proficiency (LEP)
    • Funding for teacher assistants and media coordinators
    • School construction bonds
    • Charter school funding
    • Weighted student funding
    • School accountability
    • School nutrition
    • NC Pre-K and early education
    • Calendar alignment with community colleges
    • Dual enrollment

HB 428: Study School Discipline Parent Involvement (Primary Sponsors: Frances Jackson, D-Cumberland; Diane Wheatley, R-Cumberland)

  • Requires the Department of Public Instruction to evaluate how policies with a focus on parent involvement may decrease the rate of recurring disciplinary infractions. Prohibits the study from including review of any student discipline involving students with an IEP or a 504 Behavioral Plan.
  • Appropriates funds for the study and requires DPI to report results and recommendations.

HB 433: Registered Nurses in Schools (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Karl Gillespie, R-Macon; Donna White, R-Johnston; Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg; Timothy Reeder, R-Pitt)

  • Allows licensed registered nurses with at least two years of experience serving in a hospital or health clinic to serve as a school nurse.

HB 445: Fairness & Transparency in Education Salaries (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Julie von Haefen, D-Wake; Amos Quick, D-Guilford; Cynthia Ball, D-Wake; Lindsey Prather, D-Buncombe)

  • Reinstates master’s pay for qualifying educators and school social workers.
  • Appropriates recurring funds for this purpose.
  • Requires every local board of education to publish the salary schedule adopted for occupational therapists and physical therapists on its website.

HB 451: Diabetes Education for Parents (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg; Dean Arp, R-Union; Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg; Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort)

  • Requires governing bodies of public schools to ensure that the guidelines for individual diabetes care plans are implemented in schools with students with diabetes.
  • Requires all schools to provide parents and legal guardians with information containing six described components relating to type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the start of each school year.
  • Appropriates funds for this purpose.

HB 457: Increase Small County Funding (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Renée Price, D-Orange; Kanika Brown, D-Forsyth; Howard Penny, R-Harnett)

  • Proportionally increases the allotment amounts for small counties based on ADM.
  • Appropriates recurring funds for this purpose.

HB 464 (=SB360): Healthy Students – A Nurse in Every School (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Cynthia Ball, D-Wake; Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth; Carla Cunningham, D-Mecklenburg; Donna White, R-Johnston)

  • Requires local boards of education and other governing bodies of PSUs to ensure that each school is staffed by at least one full-time, permanent school nurse.
  • Appropriates recurring supplemental funds for this purpose.

HB 475: State ID Cards for High School Students (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Ray Pickett, R-Watauga; Laura Budd, D-Mecklenburg; Brian Biggs, R-Randolph)

  • Establishes a pilot program to issue special identification cards to students who are at least 16 years old and attend a public high school in Mecklenburg, Randolph, Union, and Watauga Counties.

 

Statewide Senate Bills Filed:

SB 296: Buy American Steel (Primary Sponsors: Senators David Craven, R-Randolph; Brad Overcash, R-Gaston; Todd Johnson, R-Union)

  • Defines “public works project” as an activity paid for with any State-appropriated funds. Requires a governmental entity awarding a contract for a public works project to mandate that any iron or steel permanently incorporated in the project be produced in the United States.
  • Provides exemptions for specific circumstances.

SB 299: Government Transparency Act of 2025 (Primary Sponsors: Senators Norman Sanderson, R-Pamlico; Buck Newton, R-Wilson)

  • Requires each local board of education and other governing bodies to maintain records to show the date and general description of the reasons for each employee promotion, demotion, dismissal, transfer, suspension, or separation.
  • Requires each local board to adopt a policy to allow employee challenges to records descriptions.

SB 312 (=HB 186): The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act (Primary Sponsors: Senators David Craven, R-Randolph; Dana Jones, R-Forsyth; Danny Britt, R-Robeson)

  • Requires the pledge of allegiance to be recited daily in each public school classroom within one hour of the beginning of the school’s instructional day.
  • Requires the pledge of allegiance at the beginning of meetings of the State Board of Education and local boards of education.
  • This bill does not require any person to stand, salute the flag, or recite the pledge.

SB 319: SAUs to Maintain AIG Services in Alt. Programs (Primary Sponsor: Senator Terence Everitt, D-Wake)

  • Requires local boards of education to include within their local plans for serving academically and intellectually gifted (AIG) students a procedure for providing continuous services to children who are placed in alternative learning programs or alternative schools.

SB 323: Student Health and Responsibility Act (Primary Sponsors: Senators Val Applewhite, D-Cumberland; Gladys Robinson, D-Guilford)

  • Establishes the Safer Sex Supplies Grant to assist grant recipients in providing free access to safer sex supplies at public high schools.
  • Directs schools to refrain from requiring parental permission for students to access supplies.
  • Appropriates funds for this purpose.

SB 326 (=HB 339): Economic Security Act (Primary Sponsors: Senators Natalie Murdock, D-Durham; Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe; Lisa Grafstein, D-Wake)

  • Beginning in 2026, increases the statewide minimum wage to $22/hour, adjusted for inflation annually.
  • Provides a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, and other specified systems.

SB 371: Stop Chronically Low-Performing Charters (Primary Sponsors: Senators Sophia Chitlik, D-Durham; Lisa Grafstein, D-Wake)

  • Requires charter revocation for schools that have been low-performing for four consecutive years, restricts charter schools from expanding if they are low-performing, limits charters for remote academies to three years, and requires charter schools to list the school’s performance grade on enrollment applications.

SB 375: Amend Hazing Laws (Primary Sponsors: Senators Amy Galey, R-Alamance; Lisa Barnes, R-Nash; Brad Overcash, R-Gaston)

  • Requires DPI to collaboratively develop an education plan for public schools to prevent hazing. Requires public schools to administer this program to every student within 30 days of enrollment.
  • Contains reporting requirements for public schools on hazing.

SB 381: Equality for All (Primary Sponsors: Senators Lisa Grafstein, D-Wake; Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe; Graig Meyer, D-Orange)

  • Requires local boards of education to adopt a policy to not discriminate on the basis of specific characteristics/information.
  • Requires charter schools and private schools that accept eligible students receiving scholarship grants to not limit admissions or discriminate on the basis of specific characteristics/information.
  • Allows complaints to be filed with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission.

Local Bills
Local Bills Sent Back to the House for Concurrence:

HB 58: Various Local Elections (Primary Sponsor: Representative Matthew Winslow, R-Franklin)

  • Requires members of the Asheboro City Board of Education to be elected on a partisan basis in even-numbered years to serve four-year staggered terms.
  • Reduces the number of Asheboro City Board of Education members to seven.
  • Prohibits the Scotland County Board of Education from initiating a dispute resolution process or filing any legal action challenging the determination of funds to be appropriated by the board of commissioners to the local current expense fund and capital outlay fund for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Local Bills Passed the Senate, Sent to the House

SB 127: Lower Taxes for Scotland County (Primary Sponsor: Senator Danny Britt, R-Robeson)

  • Prohibits the Scotland County Board of Education from initiating a dispute resolution process or filing any legal action challenging the determination of funds to be appropriated by the board of commissioners to the local current expense fund and capital outlay fund for fiscal year 2025-2026.

 

Local Bills Moving In the House:

HB 294: Jackson Co Bd of Ed Election Partisan (Primary Sponsor: Representative Mike Clampitt, R-Swain)

  • Requires members of the Jackson County Board of Education to be elected on a partisan basis. Candidates must be nominated at the same time and manner as other county officers and electees must take office on the first Monday in December following the election.
  • Effective the first Monday in December 2026.

HB 302: Pitt Co. Bd. of Ed. Elect. Partisan (Primary Sponsor: Representative Timothy Reeder, R-Pitt))

  • Requires members of the Pitt County Board of Education to be elected on a partisan basis at the time of the general election in each even-numbered year as staggered terms expire. Candidates must be nominated at the same time and manner as other county officers.
  • Requires electees to take office on the first Monday in December following the election.
 

 
NEW! FINAL ISSUE BRIEF RELEASE: Issue briefs are short papers that provide background and additional details on each issue listed on NCSBA’s 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda. Click here for the Issue Briefs portion of our website, where you can find all of our new and updated issue briefs.

Click here to view the 2025-2026 School Accountability Issue Brief
Live Legislative Updates w/ GR on Zoom: We are pleased to offer registration for the second recurring live legislative update with our Governmental Relations team on the first Monday of next month (and every month) from 12 – 12:45 pm. This is an informal opportunity to meet and discuss current issues. You are invited to come and go as you please.

April 7 Session: Register here

Once your registration is approved (we will manually confirm that all registrants are local school board members or district stakeholders), you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. Registrants will also receive a reminder confirmation email the day of the meeting with the Zoom link.

*Please note that you will need to separately register for every month’s session that you plan to attend. Monthly registration links will be continuously included in these weekly legislative updates.*
 

 
The following highlights are summaries directly based on the Consortium of State School Boards Associations’ (COSSBA) Federal Education Report and reflect information and ideas provided by the Consortium.

Click here to read more about these topics and others in the March 17, 2025 report.

USDA Cancels $1B for Schools: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) canceled two major programs aimed at supplying local food to schools, including the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, which was set to distribute $660 million in 2025. The decision comes as schools face rising food costs, with critics like Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey voicing concerns about the negative impact on farmers and families nationwide. While funds from previous agreements remain available, no new contracts will be made under these programs.

House K-12 Panel Examines School Choice: The House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing on charter schools, vouchers, and education savings accounts (ESAs). The hearing saw strong support from Republicans, who argued that school choice policies lead to increased competition and improved academic performance, especially in underperforming public schools. Witnesses testified that school choice programs provide more opportunities, especially for students with disabilities. However, Democrats raised concerns that diverting public funds to private institutions through school choice undermines public education and lacks sufficient oversight. Critics also noted that these programs tend to disproportionately benefit wealthier families and leave vulnerable students underserved.

Judge Orders Rehiring of ED Employees: In a significant legal development, a federal judge ordered the reinstatement of nearly 2,000 employees at the Department of Education who had been laid off as part of the massive workforce reduction effort. The ED’s move, which affected nearly half of the department’s staff, was framed as a cost-saving measure to increase efficiency. However, U.S. District Judge James Bredar ruled that the terminations violated federal law due to the failure to provide the legally required 60-day notice to affected employees. The judge determined the layoffs were not based on performance but unauthorized reductions in force.

Insights on Future of AI in Education: Education Week hosted a panel on the future role of AI in education, featuring superintendents and instructional leaders who discussed the potential benefits and challenges of AI integration in K-12 schools. Panelists emphasized that AI should complement, not replace, traditional teaching methods, and should be used as a tool to enhance personalized learning. They discussed how AI could help tailor lessons to individual needs and potentially lessen teachers’ workloads by increasing student engagement. The conversation also touched on the need for professional development to help educators adapt to AI technologies and best incorporate them into their classrooms.
 

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

 

State News

News & Observer: Thousands of affluent students now benefit from NC private school voucher expansion

EdNC: As Trump moves to close the federal department of education, is North Carolina prepared to assume more responsibility?

Carolina Journal: Trump executive order moves to shrink US Department of Education

EdNC: ‘Highlights’ report of the budget for North Carolina public schools is out for 2024-25

Carolina Journal: Stein budget proposal freezes scheduled tax cuts and boosts spending

EdNC: If you care about teacher morale in North Carolina, this data is worth a look

 

National News

NC Newsline: Trump signs order directing Education secretary to shut down her own department

Inside Higher ED: Education Department Reinstates 65 Probationary Employees

Education Week: Judge Orders Trump Admin. to Restore Teacher-Prep Grants It Slashed

K-12 Dive: What will NCES layoffs mean for the Nation’s Report Card?

EdSurge: For Families, School Choice Doesn’t Mean Easy Decisions

EdTech: How Schools Can Prepare for Artificial Intelligence-Backed Cyberattacks
 

 
Notable upcoming committee meetings include:

 

House: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

4:00 pm on Monday, March 24

Bills being heard include:

HB 87: Cell Phone-Free Education

HB 294: Jackson Co Bd of Ed Election Partisan

HB 302: Pitt Co. Bd. of Ed. Elect. Partisan

Click here to stream.

 

House: Health

11:00 am on Tuesday, March 25

Bills being heard include:

HB 328: Ban Delta-8 & Delta-9 on School Grounds

HB 329: Tobacco and Hemp on Nonpublic School Grounds

HB 397: Use of Epinephrine Nasal Spray in Schools

Click here to stream.

 

House: State and Local Government

2:00 pm on Tuesday, March 25

Bills being heard include:

HB 244: Depoliticize Government Property Act

Click here to stream.

 

To keep up with the General Assembly’s legislative calendar, click here.
 

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

Silya Bennai
Advocacy Coordinator
NC School Boards Association
sbennai@ncsba.org
(919) 747-6688

Katelyn Kingsbury
Contract Lobbyist
Brooks Pierce, LLP

Drew Moretz
Contract Lobbyist
Brooks Pierce, LLP
administratorNCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – MARCH 21, 2025
read more
NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – JANUARY 31, 2025

NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – JANUARY 31, 2025

February 3, 2025 administrator

January 31, 2025
The House and Senate convened this Wednesday to get the ball rolling on the legislative “long” session. No votes took place in either chamber. However, Speaker Destin Hall handed out gavels during Wednesday’s session to the House committee chairs that were announced last week.  This week, House members learned their committee assignments. Included below are the members of both House Education committees:
Chairs: Representatives Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg), David Willis (R-Union), and Brian Biggs (R-Randolph)
Vice Chairs: Representatives  Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford), Heather Rhyne (R-Lincoln), and Diane Wheatley (R-Cumberland)
Members: Representatives Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson), Cynthia Ball (D-Wake), Gloristine Brown (D-Pitt), Laura Budd (D-Mecklenburg), Aisha Dew (D-Mecklenburg), Julia Greenfield (D-Mecklenburg), Frank Iler (R-Brunswick), Jake Johnson (R-Polk), Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth), Brandon Lofton (D-Mecklenburg), Marcia Morey (D-Durham), Larry Potts (R-Davidson), Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance), Mike Schietzelt (R-Wake), Phil Shepard (R-Onslow), John Torbett (R-Gaston), and Julie von Haefen (D-Wake)
Chairs: Representatives David Willis (R-Union), Brian Biggs (R-Randolph), and Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg)
Vice Chair: Representative Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke)
Members: Representatives Cynthia Ball (D-Wake), Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford), Wyatt Gable (R-Onslow), Zack Hawkins (D-Durham), Monika Johnson-Hostler (D-Wake), Ray Pickett (R-Watauga), and Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe)
To view the chairs and membership for all House committees, click here.
House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) also put out a 6-month calendar for his chamber (view here) in an effort to provide scheduling transparency for members.
Don’t forget these important approaching deadlines if you’re looking to get a local bill filed for your district on a specific issue, such as school calendar, by your legislator(s):
  • Senators must submit local bills to legislative staff by Thursday, February 13, 2025. They must be filed by February 27, 2025.
  • House members must submit local bills to legislative staff by Thursday, February 20, 2025. They must be introduced by March 6, 2025.
As we mentioned last week, the Senate Education/Higher Education Chairs are Senators Kevin Corbin (R-Macon), Michael Lee (R-New Hanover), and Brad Overcash (R-Gaston). The Appropriations on Education/Higher Education Chairs are Senators Kevin Corbin (R-Macon), Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus), and Brad Overcash (R-Gaston). To revisit the full list of Senators on those committees and any other committees you’re interested in, click here.

There was also sad news out of the House this week. Members of both parties bid farewell to the late Representative Joe John (D-Wake) and welcomed Phil Rubin (D-Wake), a former federal prosecutor, to fill his seat. To read the resolution in Rep. John’s honor, click here.
Executive orders (EOs) coming out of Washington this week have caused much confusion and many questions at the state-level related to immigration enforcement in schools, federal funding, and education reform. To read about the federal grants freeze directive, and the subsequent rescinding of the order, click here. To learn about active directives, read on:

Last week, the federal Department of Homeland Security rescinded guidance that had previously restricted federal immigration enforcement actions in protected areas, including schools.  In response, State Superintendent Mo Green released a document on Wednesday designed to provide information to local school officials and their attorneys regarding state and federal legal requirements related to immigrant students and families. This document is available here.

We encourage board members to review the information provided by the State Superintendent and to consult with school system administrators and legal counsel to determine whether any local policies, plans, or protocols should be developed or modified as result of the change to federal immigration enforcement guidance.

Suggested Policy Review: Boards are encouraged to review policy 5120, Relationship with Law Enforcement, along with any procedures developed by the superintendent regarding school contacts with law enforcement agencies.

Additional Policies for Consideration: Other relevant policies for the board to review may include the following:

  • Policy 5020, Visitors to the Schools
  • Policy 4100, Age Requirements for Initial Entry (permitting the use of birth certificates or other proof of age documents only for the purpose of establishing the age of the child and not for inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of the child, parent, or guardian)
  • Policy 4700, Student Records (describing the circumstances in which different types of student information may be released)
  • Policy 4705/7825, Confidentiality of Personal Identifying Information, and its accompanying regulation
  • Policy 4210, Release of Students from School
  • Policy 1510/4200/7270, School Safety
  • Policy 4003, Translating Policies for Students and Parents
  • Policy 4125, Homeless Students.

If you would like additional resources, please feel free to contact Madison Gaulden (mgaulden@ncsba.org).
President Trump also issued EOs on Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling and Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families. The former focuses mainly on race, gender and American history, and threatens to pull federal funding from schools that teach concepts like structural racism, white privilege, and unconscious bias. The latter order directs federal agencies to explore options for expanding access to private school vouchers. According to the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA), it remains unclear what long-term impact the new EOs might have, especially considering that states and local districts provide a large majority of the funding for public education and set their own curriculum and school-choice policy. COSSBA reports that the initial impact of these EOs will be negligible given that the largest sources of federal funds to K-12 public schools involve Title 1 and Special Education funding (both of which require approval from Congress to change). While cuts to existing federal funds for public education remain logistically unlikely, the Consortium believes the passage of legislation aimed at providing tax cuts for charitable donations that help cover expenses for K-12 private schools is far more likely. To learn more from K-12 Dive, click here.
 
Statewide House Bills Filed:

HB 2: Entry Fees for HS Interscholastic Events (Primary Sponsors: Representatives A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., R-Rockingham; David Willis, R-Union)

  • Requires that cash be accepted as a form of payment for admission to North Carolina high school athletic events and requires free admission for senior citizens who show a Tar Heel Card issued by the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

HB 4: Sam’s Law (Alternative title: Seizure Safe Schools Act of 2025) (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort; Celeste Cairns, R-Carteret; Brian Biggs, R-Randolph: Erin Paré, R-Wake)

  • Requires all local boards and governing bodies to adopt seizure policies for schools under their control, including a policy requiring principals, guidance counselors, and teachers to complete at least one hour of self-study review of seizure disorder materials each school year.
  • Requires local boards and governing bodies to establish a seizure education program for all school personnel having direct contact with K-12 students and requires an informational poster on seizure first aid be displayed in at least one visible, high traffic area in each school.
  • Allows the parent of a student diagnosed with a seizure disorder to petition their school for a Seizure Action Plan, i.e., a written, individualized health plan, especially related to that student’s medication and how its administered.
  • Requires each school to ensure at least one of its employees is trained to administer any seizure medication provided to the school under a Seizure Action Plan.
  • Appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to assist the State Board of Education with the development of its seizure policy and implementation costs.
  • Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

HB 8: NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2025 (Primary Sponsor: Representative Harry Warren, R-Rowan)

  • Declares it is policy for all State departments, institutions, agencies, community colleges, and local school administrative units to purchase and use, or require the purchase and use of, materials and supplies with compostable or recyclable content in food establishments.
  • Requires annual reporting from each entity on the amounts and types of supplies with composable or recyclable content purchased during the previous fiscal year, as well as reporting on the amounts and types of materials collected for recycling.
  • Requires each entity to review its bid specifications for the purchase or use of materials to eliminate any procedures that explicitly and unreasonably discriminate against supplies with recycled content.
  • Requires the NC Policy Collaboratory to study the issue of food service ware and report to the General Assembly in 2026. Appropriates $50,000 funds for this study.
  • Establishes a pilot program run by Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to eliminate the sale of food/beverages in or with food service ware at five selected facilities.

Local House Bills Filed:

HB 27: SchCalFlex/Alamance/Open Cal. (Primary Sponsors: Representatives Dennis Riddell, R-Alamance; Stephen Ross, R-Alamance)

  • Allows the local board of education for Alamance-Burlington Schools to adopt their own school calendar start and end date.
 

Issue briefs are 1-2 page papers that provide background and additional details on each issue listed on our 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda. Click here for the Issue Briefs portion of our website, where you can find new and updated issue briefs over the coming weeks.

Click here to review or download the 2025-2026 Opportunity Scholarship Issue Brief and here for the 2025-2026 Students with Disabilities Issue Brief.
 

The following highlights are summaries directly based on the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Federal Education Report and reflect information and ideas provided by the Consortium.

Click here to read more about these topics and others in the January 27th report.

HELP Committee Sets Legislative Priorities For 119th Congress: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee convened for an organizing hearing focused on outlining shared legislative priorities, including education reform, prescription drug pricing, and healthcare access, though approaches differ between Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Additionally, Cassidy described the U.S. education crisis as a critical concern, citing literacy issues and linking them to lower graduation rates and higher incarceration rates, while Sanders highlighted the importance of reauthorizing key legislative measures, such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which failed to get passed in the final days of the 118th Congress.

School Safety Advisory Board: The Trump Administration disbanded the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board, which was originally assembled to provide federal agencies with recommendations for protecting students. The move comes after a directive to dissolve all external advisory committees under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of a broader effort to refocus resources on national security priorities. Established after the 2018 Parkland school shooting and later codified into law, the defunct board included school safety experts, civil rights advocates, disability rights activists, and parents of shooting victims. DHS has not directly addressed whether the board will be reassembled at any point in the future. (To learn more, click here for a deep dive from The 74.)
 

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

State News
EdNC: Four districts had damaged schools after Helene. How are they doing now?
NC Newsline: Could North Carolina restrict phones in schools? Lawmakers plan to push new proposals
WRAL: NC lawmakers kick off 2025 with focus on Helene recovery
NC DPI Press Release: NC students score at or above average on national assessment, but pandemic gaps persist
The Mountaineer: School cafeterias face triple whammy: weather closures, rising food and labor costs
NC Newsline: As lawmakers return to Raleigh, education supporters call for improved public school funding
New York Times: Disaster-Ravaged Families Are Begging: Put Schools First
EdNC: Southern Regional Education Board announces new Crisis Recovery Network of counselors
Community College Daily: Strengthening K-12 and community college relationships
K-12 Dive: North Carolina elementary school embraces gaming, robotics in STEM-driven relaunch
NC Newsline: Trump names four North Carolinians to panel evaluating FEMA

National News
The 74: As High Court Takes Catholic Charter Case, ‘Stakes Really Couldn’t Be Higher’
Education Week: ‘Budget Reconciliation’ Sounds Like Wonkspeak. But It Matters for Schools
The 74: New NAEP Scores Dash Hope of Post-COVID Learning Recovery
New York Times: Oklahoma Moves to Require Schools to Ask Students’ Immigration Status
K-12 Dive: Education Department rescinds Biden-era book ban guidance
U.S. Department of Education Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Takes Action to Eliminate DEI
 

No committees have been announced for next week yet. To keep up with the General Assembly’s legislative calendar, click here.
 

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

Silya Bennai
Advocacy Coordinator
NC School Boards Association
sbennai@ncsba.org
(919) 747-6688
administratorNCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – JANUARY 31, 2025
read more
NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – JANUARY 24, 2025

NCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – JANUARY 24, 2025

January 27, 2025 administrator

January 24, 2025
The real work of the upcoming legislative session kicks off next Wednesday. The key takeaways so far are local bill due dates and committee announcements.

Local bill filing deadlines are quickly approaching (remember that a local bill is one affecting 14 counties or fewer). If you’re looking to get a local bill filed for your district on a specific issue, such as school calendar, now is the time to contact your House and Senate member(s). Under the “Resources” section of this update, view our updated issue briefs for supplemental information on topics including school calendar. If you need any support working with your legislator (or don’t know where to start), please contact Silya Bennai (sbennai@ncsba.org) from the Governmental Relations team for help.

The Senate and House deadlines differ as follows:

Senators must submit local bills to legislative staff by Thursday, February 13, 2025. They must be filed by February 27, 2025. (According to SR 1: Senate Rules, Rule 40.2)

House members must submit local bills to legislative staff by Thursday, February 20, 2025. They must be introduced by March 6, 2025. (According to HR 1: House Rules, Rule 31.1)

Further news came by way of the House this week with new House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) announcing committee chairmanships for the 2025-26 legislative session. Education – K-12 will have two new Chairs, including Rep. Brian Biggs (R-Randolph), a former Chair for the Randolph County Board of Education. Senate committee chairs and member lists are fully available. House member lists have yet to be released. To learn more, explore the notable committees below:

House Committees:

Education – K-12 Chairs: Representatives David Willis (R-Union), Brian Biggs (R-Randolph), and Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg).

Appropriations, Education Chairs: Representatives Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg), David Willis (R-Union), and Brian Biggs (R-Randolph).

Rules Chair: Representative John Bell (R-Wayne).

Pensions & Retirement Chairs: Representatives Carson Smith (R-Pender) and Diane Wheatley (R-Cumberland).

View this press release announcing leadership for all 33 House committees.

 Senate Committees:

Education/Higher Education Chairs: Senators Kevin Corbin (R-Macon), Michael Lee (R-New Hanover), and Brad Overcash (R-Gaston).
Members: Senators Lisa Barnes (R-Nash), Woodson Bradley (D-Mecklenburg), Bob Brinson (R-Craven), Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake), Sophia Chitlik (D-Durham), Amy Galey (R-Alamance), Michael Garrett (D-Guilford), Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck), Mark Hollo (R-Catawba), Dana Jones (R-Forsyth), Tom McInnis (R-Moore), Buck Newton (R-Wilson), Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford), Norman Sanderson (R-Pamlico), Kandie Smith (D-Pitt), and Caleb Theodros (D-Mecklenburg).

Appropriations on Education/Higher Education Chairs: Senators Kevin Corbin (R-Macon), Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus), and Brad Overcash (R-Gaston).
Members: Senators Val Applewhite (D-Cumberland), Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake), Sophia Chitlik (D-Durham), David Craven (R-Randolph), Dana Jones (R-Forsyth), and Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg).

Rules: Chair Senator Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick) and Vice-Chair Senator Warren Daniel (R-Burke).

Pensions & Retirement & Aging Chairs: Senators Ted Alexander (R-Cleveland), Carl Ford (R-Rowan), and Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus).
 

Issue briefs are 1-2 page papers that provide background and additional details on each issue listed on our 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda. Click here for the Issue Briefs portion of the NCSBAC website, where you can find new and updated issue briefs over the coming weeks.

Click here to review or download the UPDATED 2025-2026 School Calendar Issue Brief and here for the 2025-2026 School Safety Issue Brief.
 

The following highlights are summaries directly based on the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Federal Education Report and reflect information and ideas provided by the Consortium.

Click here to read more about these topics and others in the January 14th report.

Click here to read more about these topics and others in the January 21st report.

Senate Probes Parents’ Ability to Voice Concerns at School Board Meetings: During the confirmation hearing of Attorney General nominee Pamela Bondi, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) declared that the FBI conducted investigations into parents opposing curriculum choices and COVID-19 mandates during school board meetings. Grassley criticized these investigations as undue governmental overreach, with Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) citing similar concerns about parents purportedly being targeted for engaging in their child’s education. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) additionally criticized the October 2021 memorandum issued by Attorney General Merrick Garland, which directed law enforcement to address threats at school board meetings. The confirmation hearing form Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon will likely bring more discussion on this issue.

House Passes Bill Banning Transgender Athletes in Women Sports: The House passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a bill that would ban transgender women and girls from participating in women’s school sports. The legislation, which passed 218-206 along party lines, would amend Title IX to define sex based on “reproductive biology and genetics at birth.” Only two Democrats, Representatives Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX), voted in favor of the bill while one Democrat, Representative Don Davis (D-NC), voted present. The bill faces considerable opposition in the Senate, where, due to the filibuster, Republicans must be joined by seven Democrats to pass the bill. If passed, schools violating the act could lose federal funding.

Education And Workforce Committee Sets Priorities For 119th Congress: The House Committee on Education and Workforce convened its organizing meeting for the 119th Congress, setting its priorities and remaining leadership structure. Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) emphasized addressing K-12 education challenges and controlling college costs. The committee established their subcommittee leadership, with Representatives Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) leading Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education; Representatives Burgess Owens (R-UT) and Alma Adams (D-NC) leading Higher Education and Workforce Development; Representatives Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) leading Workforce Protections; and Representatives Rick Allen (R-GA) and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) leading Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. It seems Republicans are focused on entrepreneurship and labor union reform, while Democrats are prioritizing education and healthcare investment. Despite differences, the committee is ultimately hoping for collaboration moving forward.
 

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

State News
News & Observer: North Carolina’s Rep. Virginia Foxx appointed to lead powerful House committee
WFAE: NC Superintendent Mo Green talks about school funding, cellphones in the classroom, and listening
WRAL: Trump to visit western North Carolina in first week back in office
EdNC: Charter review board approves 32 charter renewals, closes a longtime Durham school
EdNC: New teacher apprenticeship program lifts up Wayne County natives
WFDD: Legislators tell Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to hire a lobbyist
EdNC: Hyde County cuts ribbon on needs-based grant project at Mattamuskeet School
WFAE: CMS, county try to boost pre-K program enrollment
EdNC: Wake work-based internship summer program to double in size this year
EdNC: Students begin new inclusive postsecondary education program at N.C. State

National News
Education Week: Trump Admin. Lifts Ban on Immigration Arrests at Schools
K-12 Dive: House passes bill to restrict transgender students’ participation in girls’ sports
K-12 Dive: ‘We raised the bar’: Cardona shares highs, lows as he exits Education Dept.
Education Week: Trump Names Experienced Educator as His Pick for Deputy Education Secretary
K-12 Dive: FTC finalizes COPPA rule to strengthen children’s data protection
K-12 Dive: SCOTUS to hear case on LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum opt-outs
 

The House and Senate plan to reconvene on January 29, 2025. Notable committee meetings include:

House Select Committee on Helene Recovery
2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
Click here to stream.

Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations,
Subcommittee on Hurricane Response and Recovery
9:00 AM on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Click here to stream.

To keep up with the General Assembly’s legislative calendar, click here.
Bruce Mildwurf
Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association
bmildwurf@ncsba.org 

Silya Bennai
Advocacy Coordinator
NC School Boards Association
sbennai@ncsba.org
(919) 747-6688
administratorNCSBA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – JANUARY 24, 2025
read more