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

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

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

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

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

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

Bills Sent from the House to the Senate:

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

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

Read more on WRAL here.
HB 1058: Jackson Co Bd of Ed Elections to Nov (Primary Sponsor: Representative Mike Clampitt, R-Swain)

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

Bills Heard by Senate Committee:

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

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

Senate Bills Filed:

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

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

House Bills Filed:

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

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

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

Health & Athletics:

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

Charter School Business:

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

Other Business:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check the NC General Assembly calendar page for updates.