Weekly Legislative Update - Friday, October 6, 2017

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Legislative Update

October 6, 2017

General Assembly Back in Session

This week, the General Assembly met to reconsider bills vetoed by the Governor, as well as take up debate on a limited range of other issues.   A major item of business has been a budget and agency-related technical corrections bill, SB 582, which addresses issues related to principal pay, among other items.  This bill was passed by the General Assembly this week, and is now on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature or veto.


Per the adjournment resolution, lawmakers are expected to continue their reconvened session until October 17, when they will adjourn until January 10, 2018.


Relevant Bills with Action

NC General Assembly

SB 582:  Budget & Agency Technical Corrections

Senate Bill 582, entitled “Budget & Agency Technical Corrections,” has been a major item of debate this week at the General Assembly.  This bill addresses numerous areas of the newly-passed state budget, including public education.  


The 2017 budget bill contained language pertaining to principals who were paid on the school-based administrator pay schedule.  The legislation was included to ensure these principals would not receive less during the 2017-2018 fiscal year under the new 2017 principal pay plan than they would have under the prior pay plan which allowed for longevity.  SB 582 includes language to address those principals who were paid on a teacher’s salary that were unintentionally not addressed in the budget bill.  The State Board of Education (SBE) held a meeting this week, during which the principal pay plan was discussed.  After receiving input from Legislative Director Cecilia Holden and board members, SBE Chairman Bill Cobey sent a letter to lawmakers thanking them for their efforts on principal pay and asking them to extend these changes into the 2018-19 fiscal year.


SB 582 also clarifies that funds from the lottery-supported Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund must be used for the construction of new school buildings, rather than new “capital projects” as stated in the original version.  


Lawmakers also amended a program supporting highly-qualified teaching graduates from North Carolina educator preparation programs.  The bill updates the scores required for applicants to qualify to receive a performance supplement under this program if they are hired on or after the effective date.

 

Furthermore, if SB 582 becomes law, LEAs planning to apply for a grant under the Career and Technical Education Grade Expansion Grant Program will have until November 30, 2017 to submit their application, rather than November 1 as originally planned.  


HB 514: Permit Municipal Charter School/Certain Towns

HB 514 would authorize the Towns of Matthews and Mint Hill to apply to open charter schools and grant priority enrollment to students domiciled in those towns in those charter schools, and to use property tax revenue to support the charter schools operated by the towns.  HB 514 was removed from the Senate Rules Committee on Thursday, and re-referred to the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee, hinting that action on this bill may be forthcoming.  


NC Principal of the Year Among Nation's Best in K-8

jasongriffin

North Carolina’s 2017 Wells Fargo Principal of the Year Jason Griffin also is the state’s 2017 National Distinguished Principal. The Hertford Grammar principal will join 61 elementary and middle-level educators chosen by the states, the District of Columbia, and private and overseas schools for their efforts to set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staff.


“Congratulations to Jason. While he continues to win accolades at the state and national level, his real impact is on the students at Hertford Grammar School,” North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson said.


Griffin said he was honored to receive this national award. “This recognition is a reminder of the hard work that our team at Hertford Grammar has put forth to help our school and students move forward. Our teachers and staff have embraced my leadership and have played a major role in my success,” he said.


A graduate of East Carolina University and Elizabeth City State University, Griffin has worked the majority of his educational career at Hertford Grammar School, having been a third grade teacher, dean of students and principal-elect. He has served as the school’s principal since 2014. Other recognitions include Teacher of the Year in Martin and Perquimans counties, and National Distinguished Principal in Digital Learning in 2014.  


Next week (Oct. 12-13), Griffin will travel to Washington, D.C., where he will spend two days participating in activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to this year’s recipients.


The National Association of Elementary School Principals’ National Distinguished Principals program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals who ensure that America's children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. Selection criteria require that the individual is a practicing principal with at least five years of experience in the principalship who plans to continue as a practicing principal. The principal also must demonstrate evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and to the education profession.


Students Recognized for Microsoft Achievements

microsoftstudents

The General Assembly and State Board of Education recognized a group of North Carolina high school students who won Microsoft student competitions both on the state and world level.  We are very proud of their success and look forward to the great things they will accomplish in the future.


For more information on these students and their achievements, please see DPI's press release at this link.


Provide a Scholarship to a High School Student to Attend the 2018 Youth Legislative Assembly


The Legislative Services Commission of the North Carolina General Assembly is hosting the 48th Annual Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA) April 6-8, 2018 in the Legislative Office Building in downtown Raleigh. Please consider sponsoring a scholarship for a high school student to participate in this year’s YLA. Approximately 200 North Carolina high school students are expected to attend. The students draft bills, elect leaders, engage in debate, and vote on mock legislation.

    

The cost for a student scholarship is $250, which covers hotel accommodations, meals, t-shirt, and participation in the general session to be held at the Legislative Office Building. Please partner with the YLA to help youth develop leadership skills. The experience should be very instructive and rewarding for these students.


Mirroring the real North Carolina General Assembly, students will assemble to elect a leadership team, choose bill topics, draft bills, debate bills, and vote on bills. Past topics include random drug testing of high school athletes, offshore drilling, and increasing the minimum drop-out age for high school students.


If you have questions regarding the YLA program or if you would like to sponsor a student, please contact Erica Gallion, YLA Program Coordinator erica.gallion@ncleg.net or (919) 301-1372.

For more information, scheduling, and application documents please click the following link: Youth Legislative Assembly 2018

 


DPI Logo


See this link for a complete list of bills impacting K-12 education.


Legislative Calendar

Monday, October 9, 2017

 

10:00 a.m.:  Senate Session Convenes

Senate Chamber | Audio

 

1:00 p.m.:  House Session Convenes

House Chamber | Audio


Tuesday, October 10, 2017

 

9:00 a.m.:  Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services

643 LOB | Audio

 

10:00 a.m.:  Child Fatality Task Force

1027/1128 LB | No Audio

 

1:00 p.m.:  Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and NC Health Choice

643 LOB | Audio

 

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

 

10:00 a.m.:  Child Fatality Task Force

1027/1128 LB | No Audio

 

1:00 p.m.:  Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Capital Improvements

544 LOB | Audio

 

Thursday, October 12, 2017

 

9:00 a.m.:  Joint Legislative Emergency Management Oversight Committee

544 LOB | Audio

 

10:00 a.m.:  Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the North Carolina State Lottery

643 LOB | Audio

 

1:00 p.m.:  Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety

643 LOB | Audio


North Carolina General Assembly 

ONLINE RESOURCES:


    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONTACT INFORMATION:

    • Cecilia Holden  –  Director of Legislative Affairs and Special Initiatives  |  919-807-4035
    • Robb Jansen  –  Policy Development Analyst  |  919-807-3407
    • Anne Murtha  –  Legislative Specialist  |  919-807-3403

    To view previous 2017 Weekly Legislative Updates click here.


     The NC Department of Public instruction offers a number of topics for subscription.

    • To subscribe to the Weekly Legislative Update, click here.
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