The Week In Review and Looking Into Next Week
Flurry of Bills Filed and Joint Appropriations Meetings Held
It may not be snowing in Raleigh, but there certainly was a flurry of bills being filed this week, as well as education issues being addressed in the Joint House and Senate Appropriations on Education committee meeting that included school infrastructure and education budget issues.
Next week's NCGA weather promises to be filled with Joint Appropriations meetings focused on continued review and preparation of the biennium budget. Governor Cooper will give the State of the State Address on Monday, February 25 at 7 p.m. to a Joint Session of the House and Senate in the NCGA House Chamber. On Wednesday, February 27 at 11:30 a.m., State Superintendent Mark Johnson and State Board of Education Chairman Eric Davis will present to Senate Education/Higher Education. Audio of this meeting is available here. Meeting materials and presentations will be available here following the meeting.
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Joint Meeting of the House and Senate Appropriations on Education Committee
On Thursday, February 21, the Joint House and Senate Appropriations on Education met for a Budget 101 Overview on Education. The budget terms and process were explained by Eric Moore, NCGA Fiscal Analysis and former DPI Business Analyst.
The committee reviewed the following items:
The next Joint Meeting of the House and Senate Appropriation on Education Committee is Tuesday, February 26th at 8:30 a.m. in Room 423 of the Legislative Office Building. Link to committee documents.
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From the Board Room - Activities of the NC Board of Education
The State Board of Education is comprised of the State Treasurer, the Lieutenant Governor and 11 citizens appointed by the Governor. This newsletter highlights the Board’s activities on behalf of the 1.5 million public school students in our state and the more than 100,000 educators who provide services to children. You may view all State Board of Education member and advisor information online. To access current and archived versions of From the Board Room, visit the State Board of Education’s website.
Here is the LINK to the February Update.
To subscribe to From the Board Room newsletter and other education newsletters, click here.
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Tune into the Governor's State of the State Address on Monday, February 25, 2019, @ 7:00 p.m.
Did you know you can listen to the House Chamber? If you are unable to attend the Governor's State of the State in person at the General Assembly this Monday, February 25, you can tune in here.
What if I missed the live State of the State Address or want to share it with my class? Archives of the NCGA House Chamber are available here.
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Relevant Bills with Action
HB 89: SEA-Tech CIHS/Funds
This bill would allocate $8 million to New Hanover County Schools to support expansion of the Southeast Area Technical School's innovative curriculum partnership with Cape Fear Community College for the 2019-20 fiscal year.
HB 90 (SB 64): DPI/EC Div. Feedback/DIT Study/PED report
This is the House companion bill to SB 64 which would direct the Exceptional Children Division of DPI to incorporate an evaluation system of the Division's support programs into its policies and procedures. The bill also would direct the Government Data Analytics Center of DIT to study the feasibility of local education agencies participating in the NC Health Information Exchange Network (also known as NC Health Connex). *A companion bill is an identical bill filed in both the House and Senate.
HB 96: Revise Geo. Isolated Schs. Formula/Currituck
HB 96 would require the SBE to allot additional classroom teachers to geographically isolated K-12 schools in Currituck County. This would be based on qualifying criteria for geographic isolation, to include schools located in an area containing all or a portion of at least one national wildlife refuge owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. If passed, this would begin with the 2019-20 school year.
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HB 97: Increase Transp. Efficiency Buffer/Currituck
This bill would increase the transportation efficiency budget rating calculated by DPI for Currituck County Schools. Currently, the rating for Currituck LEA is at least 15 percentage points higher than the actual transportation efficiency budget rating calculated by DPI. The change would apply for the 2019-20 school year.
HB 105: Red Light Cameras/Hope Mills & Spring Lake (Local Bill)
HB 105 would increase the penalty for camera-detected red light violations from traffic cameras in Hope Mills and Spring Lake from $75 to $100. The proceeds from the fine would be transferred to the local school board.
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HB 107 (SB 101): PED Oversight/EPP Changes
This legislation came from a recommendation by the Joint Program Evaluation Oversight Committee. These companion bills would make changes to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Performance Standards. It would also direct the SBE to develop a weighted model for comparing data for an annual EPP report card. See UNC School of Government Bill Digest for additional details on this bill.
HB 110 (SB 90): Protect Religious Meeting Places
This bill would define school operating hours in G.S. 14-269.2 and would permit a handgun on school property outside of school operating hours. This does not apply to an institution of higher education or a nonpublic, postsecondary educational institution.
HB 124: Smart Start Funds
If HB 124 passes and becomes law, $20 million would be appropriated from the General Fund each year of the 2019-21 biennium to Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Child Development and Early Education. Effective July, 1, 2019, the funds would be allocated to the NC Partnership for Children Inc, to be distributed to local Smart Start partnerships.
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HB 125: GSC Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act
HB 125 would revise the Uniform Athlete Agents Act based on recommendations from the General Statutes Commission. Under this act, a covered athlete is a student athlete or a former student athlete from an educational institution defined as a public or private elementary school, secondary school, technical or vocational school, community college, college, or university.
HB 128: High Achieving Tuition Scholarships
This bill would appropriate funds to create the High Achieving Tuition Scholarship Program for top performing high school students to attend a North Carolina Community College.
Summary of Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
(1) At least a 3.5 unweighted grade point average
(2) Is either a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen
(3) Qualified resident of North Carolina for tuition purposes
(4) Admitted as a student at a North Carolina community college in a curriculum program
(5) Compliant with Selective Service registration requirements
(6) Does not have a felony conviction for a controlled substance offense
The Bill Digest from the UNC School of Government is linked to the bill history and provides a detailed overview of HB 128.
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HB 135: Government Immigration Compliance
This bill would create additional incentives for local governments to comply with state laws related to immigration. Violations by a local school administration unit (LEA) of this statute, if passed, shall be reported immediately by the Commissioner of Labor to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. If the LEA is still not within compliance within 60 days of the violation, the Commissioner may hold additional hearings to ensure the LEA is within compliance.
HB 145: 15-Point Scale For School Performance Grades
HB 145 would adopt a fifteen-point scale to calculate school performance grades.
Under this bill, a school performance score would be designated:
- 85 is equivalent to a school performance grade of A
- 70 is equivalent to a school performance grade of B
- 55 is equivalent to a school performance grade of C
- 40 is equivalent to a school performance grade of D
- A score of less than 40 is equivalent to a school performance grade of F
This would apply beginning with the 2019-20 school year.
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HB 151: Katelyn's Law
This bill would require the NC State Board of Education to adopt rules regarding excused absences for students to allow them to participate in approved legislative programs, such as the House, Senate and Governor's Page Programs. HB 151 would encourage local boards of education to adopt a student attendance program to promote participation in these programs as an integral part of the learning process.
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SB 64 (HB 90): DPI/EC Div. Feedback/DIT Study/PED Report
This is the Senate companion bill to HB 90 which would direct the Exceptional Children Division of DPI to incorporate an evaluation system of the Divisions support programs into its policies and procedures. The bill also would direct the Government Data Analytics Center of DIT to study the feasibility of local education agencies participating in the NC Health Information Exchange Network (also known as NC Health Connex). *A companion bill is an identical bill filed in both the House and Senate.
SB 88: Electrician Requirements for Certain Orgs
SB 88 would clarify the statutes regulating electrical contractors employed by schools, nonprofits and hospitals to enable them to conduct maintenance and make repairs at their facilities at all times under the direction of the school, nonprofit or hospital.
SB 90 (HB110): Protect Religious Meeting Places
This is the Senate companion bill to HB 110 which would define school operating hours in G.S. 14-269.2 and would permit a handgun on school property outside of school operating hours. This does not apply to an institution of higher education or a nonpublic, postsecondary educational institution.
*Companion bills have identical language when filed in each chamber. They can become drastically different as they move through the legislative process.
SB 99 (HB 31): Allow Durham Public Schls to Provide Housing
This is the companion bill to HB 31 that allows the Durham Public School Board of Education to enter into lease agreements for housing units and/or to contract to construct, provide, or maintain affordable rental housing on property owned by the Board or by Durham County for the purpose of providing housing exclusively for Durham Public Schools teachers and employees.
SB 101 (HB 107): PED Oversight/EPP Changes
SB 101 is the Senate's companion bill to HB 107. This legislation came from a recommendation by the Joint Program Evaluation Oversight Committee. These companion bills would make changes to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Performance Standards. It would also direct the SBE to develop a weighted model for comparing data for an annual EPP report card. See UNC School of Government Bill Digest for additional details on this bill.
SB 117: Modify School Performance Scores & Grades
This legislation would direct the SBE to calculate a school's overall performance score by adding the school achievement score and the school growth score.
This also amends a school's achievement score like HB 145.
School performance scores would be designated:
- 85 is equivalent to a school performance grade of A
- 70 is equivalent to a school performance grade of B
- 55 is equivalent to a school performance grade of C
- 40 is equivalent to a school performance grade of D
- A score of less than 40 is equivalent to a school performance grade of F
This would apply beginning with the 2019-20 school year.
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School Safety Bills
Committee Alert: HB 76: School Safety Omnibus will be heard House Education - K-12
The House Education - K-12 will consider HB 76 School Safety Omnibus on Tuesday, February 26 in 643 LOB at 1:00 p.m. You can listen to the meeting via audio. HB 76 would require public schools to ensure school safety training standards and complete vulnerability assessment for school buildings.
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Overview: This week, lawmakers filed an additional 18 school calendar flexibility bills bringing the total to 41. The majority of North Carolina school districts support returning school calendar control back to local school boards.
School Calendar Background
Under current state law, North Carolina school districts are prohibited from starting the school year earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 and ending it later than the Friday closest to June 11.
School Calendar Flexibility bills filed this week:
HB 93: School Calendar Flex/Martin County
Sponsor: Willlingham
County: Martin
HB 94: School Calendar Flexibility/Lenoir County
Sponsor: Humphrey
County: Lenior
HB 95: School Calendar Flex/Certain School Systems
Sponsor: Hunter
Counties: Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank
HB 101: School Calendar Flex/Certain School Systems
Sponsors: K. Hall; Stevens; Carter
Counties: Rockingham, Stokes, Surry
HB 109: School Calendar Flexibility/Iredell County
Sponsors: R. Turner; Fraley
County: Iredell
HB 116: School Calendar Flex/Certain School Systems
Sponsor: Henson
Counties:Polk, Transylvania
HB 117: School Calendar Flexibility Pilot Program
Sponsors: Warren; Horn; Howard; Johnson
Counties: Statewide - No Counties Specified
HB 137: School Calendar Flexibility/Cumberland County
Sponsors: Lucas; Floyd; Richardson; Szoka
County: Cumberland
HB 142: School Calendar Flexibility/Pitt County
Sponsors: Humphrey; Murphy; K. Smith
County: Pitt
HB 148: School Calendar Flexibility/Hoke County
Sponsor: Pierce
County: Hoke
HB 149: School Calendar Flexibility/Scotland County
Sponsor: Pierce
County: Scotland
SB 91: Permit Lincoln Co Schools & Com College Align
Sponsor: T. Alexander
County: Lincoln
SB 93: School Calendar Flexibility/Wake County
Sponsors: Searcy; Chaudhuri; Nickel
County: Wake
SB 96: School Calendar Flexibility/Cleveland County
Sponsor: T. Alexander
County: Cleveland
SB 97: School Calendar Flexibility/Chatham County
Sponsor: Foushee
County: Chatham
SB 98: School Calendar Flex/Certain School Systems
Sponsor: Foushee
County: Orange
SB 115: School Calendar Flexibility/Guilford County
Sponsors: Garrett; Robinson
County: Guilford
SB 121: School Calendar Flexibility/Person County
Sponsor: Woodard
County: Person
SB 122: School Calendar Flexibility/Granville County
Sponsor: Woodard
County: Granville
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2019 Long Session link for bills impacting K-12 education. |
Monday, February 25, 2019
2:00 p.m.: Session Convenes (Senate) Senate | Audio
3:00 p.m.: House: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House 1228/1327 LB | Audio
H72: Support Multiple Recesses For Lincoln Co Schl.
6:00 p.m.: Session Convenes (House) House | Audio
7:00 p.m.: Governor's State of the State Address House | Audio
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
8:30 a.m.: House and Senate: Joint Appropriations on Education/Higher Education 423 LOB
10:00 a.m.: House: Health 643 LOB | Audio
H30: Official State Frozen Treat.
1:00 p.m.: House: Education - K-12 643 LOB | Audio
H31: Allow Durham Pub. Schools to Provide Housing.
H57: Create Term for Public Schs. & Codify NCVPS.
H73: Civic Responsibility Education.
H76: School Safety Omnibus.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
11:30 a.m.: Senate: Education/Higher Education 1027/1128 LB | Audio
Agenda: Presentations from State Superintendent Mark Johnson and
State Board of Education Chairman Eric C. Davis
ONLINE RESOURCES:
Legislative Info and Acronyms
This section includes details pertaining to acronyms and bill information referenced throughout the K-12 Education Legislative Update newsletters.
Biennium- A two-year term of legislative activity
Public Bill- Legislation enacted into law that applies to the public at large
Local Bill- Legislation put into law that has limited application (How many counties)- Local bills do not have to be signed by the governor
Sponsor- The legislator who presents a bill or resolution for consideration
Resolution- A document that expresses the sentiment or intent of the legislature or a chamber. Resolutions, when finalized, go to the Secretary of State
DPI = NC Department of Public Instruction
NCGA = North Carolina General Assembly
LB/LOB = Legislative Building/Legislative Office Building
SBE = North Carolina State Board of Education
HB/SB = House Bill/Senate Bill
JR = Joint Resolution
SL = Session Law
GS = General Statute
PCS = Proposed Committee Substitute
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONTACT INFORMATION:
To view previous 2019 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.
- To subscribe to other NC Department of Public Instruction topics, click here.
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