On Tuesday, March 12 during a Joint House and Senate: Appropriations, Education Committee meeting, the Governor’s budget for Fiscal Year 2019-21 was presented by the Office of State Budget and Management (View presentation here).  

On Wednesday, March 13, 2019, agency responses to the Governor's Budget were given during the Joint House and Senate: Appropriations, Education Committee by the the NC Community College System, the University of North Carolina System (UNC), and NC Independent Colleges and Universities.

-NCCS response 

-UNC System response

-NCICU response

During Thursday's meeting of the Joint House and Senate: Appropriations, Education Committee, SBE (Chair Eric Davis) gave the Board’s response to the Governor's Budget and Superintendent Johnson presented budget items tied to his 2030 vision.

On Wednesday, March 13 during the House Committee on Appropriations, Capital, Rep. John Hardister presided over a discussion relating to "An Overview of the State's Debt and Capital."  The total ending balance for Public School Capital Outlays was broken out by LEAs and outlined in the chart here.

Important Resources:

• Education Items in the Governor's budget here. 
• Highlights of the NC Public School Budget 2019 here.

A Life of Service- Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr.

Late Congressman Walter Jones Jr. Remembered in N.C. SJR 216

State lawmakers passed Senate Joint Resolution 216 passed this week honoring the life and service of former N.C. House member Walter B. Jones, Jr. Jones passed away on February 10^th, leaving an inspiring legacy as a public servant. Jones served in the N.C. House for ten terms before going on to serve 12 terms in Congress. Jones was a fierce advocate for both his constituents and the military and will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful leader.

HB 241- Education Bond Act of 2019

House Education Bond Passes Unanimously

HB 241, entitled the Education Bond Act of 2019, is sponsored by House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), as well as leaders in NC education including Reps. Craig Horn(R-Union), Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes), and Linda Johnson (R-Cabarrus). The House bond also has the backing of Governor Roy Cooper.

The proposed bond (if approved by voters) would provide $1.5 billion to K-12 school systems, $200 million for the University of North Carolina system, and $200 million for the North Carolina Community College System. 

Arts Education

The House is working to add an arts education credit to NC's high school graduation requirements. The House education committee voted Tuesday in favor of HB 56 (Entitled "Arts Education Requirement."), which would add the one-credit requirement for  students who enter sixth grade in 2022.

The State Board of Education would develop the specific criteria for the arts requirement, but Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg) said the board can make it flexible so that arts camps and other programs outside of school hours could count. The bill's co-sponsor, Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes) and an art teacher, said the arts teach "soft skills" that employers need, for example teamwork and communication.

The proposed arts requirement outlined in HB 56 has historically been pushed through the House, but has not been heard the Senate. 

School Calendar Flexibility

Overview:  This week, lawmakers filed 4 school calendar flexibility bills, bringing total number of SCF bills to 56 this session. These bills continue to be heard in committee and will continue to be addressed into next week. The majority of North Carolina school districts support these bills that return school calendar control back to local school boards. 

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 361: School Calendar Flexibility/Halifax

Sponsor: Wray

County: Halifax

SB 233: School Calendar Two-Year Flex/Certain Systems

Sponsor: Burgin

Counties: Harnett, Johnston, Lee

SB 279: School Calendar 3-Year Flex/Certain Systems

Sponsor: D. Davis

Counties: Greene, Pitt

SB 281: School Calendar Flex/Certain School Systems

Sponsor: Ballard

Counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes

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

Glossary of Legislative Terms- LINK

DPI = NC Department of Public Instruction

LEA = Local Education Agency

NCGA = North Carolina General Assembly

LB/LOB = Legislative Building/Legislative Office Building 

SBE = North Carolina State Board of Education

AB = Agency Bill

HB/SB = House Bill/Senate Bill

JR = Joint Resolution

SL = Session Law

GS = General Statute 

PCS = Proposed Committee Substitute 

FY = Fiscal Year