Local per-pupil reporting by LEA due All 116 LEAs are required to complete the template and the survey that are posted under "What's New" at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/. Please complete both and submit by Oct. 29. G.S. 115C-218-105(d) requires each LEA to provide to the State Board of Education detailed information related to the calculation and transfer of the per-pupil share of the LEA’s local current expense fund. LEAs are required to provide this information (the template) to the State Board of Education by Nov. 1 of each year. In addition, the Division of School Business collects data annually (the survey) on the number of students in each LEA attending charter schools. Previous years information can be found at www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/resources/data/ “Charter School Membership by LEA – Survey Results.” All LEAs are required to submit these data by Oct. 29 using the survey and associated Excel workbook located on the FBS home page under “What’s New.”

Federal reimbursement opportunity for hazard mitigation investments The new federal reimbursement opportunity available for hazard mitigation investments made during reconstruction of public and nonprofit facilities after a natural disaster states: 1) New federal law requires part of FEMA funds to be spent on disaster mitigation and allows for up to 75 percent federal reimbursement for hazard mitigation investments made during rebuilding after a natural disaster. The new Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA) makes changes to how local governments will fund disaster mitigation and respond in a crisis. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA) was signed into law as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 late last week. Agencies and governments receiving FEMA federal assistance will be required to set aside some of their disaster assistance funding for mitigation efforts, such as elevating existing structures, protecting utilities, making buildings more wind resistant, installing fire-resistant roofing. In addition, the executive branch would be able to authorize federal reimbursement of up to 75 percent of state and local hazard mitigation efforts under the law. https://efficientgov.com/blog/2018/10/10/fema-disaster-recovery-reform-requires-local-investment-empowers-local-decisions/   Click here to view 42 U.S. Code §5170c. Hazard mitigation (as amended by DRRA / H.R. 302, sec. 1235).

School safety survey for principals There will be an upcoming survey sent to school principals this week from the Center for Safer Schools.   The survey addresses threat assessments and violence strategy, information about state required activities such as drills, information about school resource officers, and information about the development of an anonymous reporting app.    We encourage all principals to respond to the survey in a timely fashion.

Public assistance applicant briefings

The State of North Carolina (NC) has received a federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance (PA) Category A (Debris Removal) and Category B (Emergency Protective Measures) for 28 counties in eastern and central NC.

The first step in the process is for all potentially eligible PA Applicants (e.g. local governments, state agencies, private nonprofits (PNPs), tribal organizations) in declared counties to attend an Applicant Briefing at one of the dates/locations listed in the link below. At the briefing, potential applicants will receive an overview of the PA program/process, any event-specific details, and instructions on how to submit the “Request for Public Assistance (RPA),” including PNP documents, the online PA Grants Portal.

The new PA Grants Portal will offer the Applicant the opportunity to review, manage, sign (e-signature), submit documentation for project worksheets, and provide full transparency of project status. The RPA is the application required to become an eligible applicant in order to receive reimbursement for eligible response and recovery costs incurred as a direct result of Hurricane Florence. For those unable to attend the Applicant Briefing, they may inquire about the PA Grants Portal by emailing public.assistance@ncdps.gov.

Click here to read more, including briefing dates and other information.

NC Division of Health Benefits makes changes to clinical coverage policy Revisions to the NC Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) have expanded the list of eligible LEA providers who can be reimbursed for select educationally relevant psychological and counseling services provided as part of services documented in a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Medicaid Policy 10-C now includes several new licensed, clinical professionals.   Click here to view the memo for more details on how this applies to school counselors and school social workers.

NC Scholarship for Children of War Veterans

This scholarship program was created to show its appreciation for the services of its war veterans. The program applies to North Carolina schools and is for eight academic semesters, where the recipient has eight years to utilize the eight academic semesters. The scholarship program has been established for the qualifying natural or an adopted child (if adopted before the age of 15) children of certain class categories of deceased, disabled, combat, or POW/MIA veterans. The deadline to apply is Feb. 14. Click here for more information.

College application fee waiver extended to Nov. 16 for hurricane-impacted counties

In light of the damage and delays caused by Hurricane Florence, a number of colleges have extended their admission application fee waivers until Nov. 16 for students in 28 designated counties. The typical College Application Week is Oct. 15-19 and is part of the NC Countdown to College.

When a student is completing the application on CFNC.org, the system will provide the special fee waiver option based on the county in the student's permanent/mailing address on the application. You’ll find the list of designated counties and colleges extending fee waivers at http://nccountdowntocollege.org/hurricane.

NC digital learning standards survey As part of the NC Standards Review, Revision and Implementation process, the Department of Public Instruction is seeking your input on the current student information and technology standards (known as ITES, Information Technology Essential Standards) via survey.    The survey may be accessed here: ncvps.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3EO3ABH2pjftRVH   Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey and assisting in our evaluation of the 2009 ITES. We value your expertise and unique perspectives on digital teaching and learning in our state. The ITES Steering Committee will be reviewing this data to determine if they should be revised.

Presidential Scholars Program, deadline extended

Due to the storms affecting the state, DPI has extended the deadline for superintendents to submit nominations for the Presidential Scholars Program until Nov. 9.

The mission of the program is to recognize and honor superior high school seniors and thereby to encourage high attainment among all students. Each LEA superintendent is invited to nominate one student in the general category who has achieved high academic success while overcoming obstacles to represent his/her school district for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Click here for the official statement, including more information about the program and how to apply.  (Note that this is the original memo and does not include the new deadline of Nov. 9.)