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State Board of Education Vision: Every public school student in North Carolina will be empowered to accept academic challenges, prepared to pursue their chosen path after graduating high school, and encouraged to become lifelong learners with the capacity to engage in a globally-collaborative society.
 
State Board of Education Mission: The mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education is to use its constitutional authority to guard and maintain the right of a sound, basic education for every child in North Carolina Public Schools. 

Friday, September 24, 2021

Highlights:  

• Budget 2021 

  • S105: 2021 Appropriations Act.  

    • News & Observer  Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan Sept. 15, 2021: Three reasons why NC still lacks a state budget -- and two signs it might be here soon

• Articles

  • Spectrum News: State Superintendent Catherine Truitt on learning loss plan

    • The state superintendent's office recently released a plan to deal with learning loss from the pandemic. Tim Boyum talks with Catherine Truitt about the plan and the challenges of catching up.

  • EdNC  Rupen Fofaria  Sept. 22, 2021:  It’s the call every educator dreads. In Transylvania, it came twice within days. Here’s how a district, and the state, are handling mental health.
    
     

• #Beyondnormalcy

  • The 74:  A Once-In-a-Generation Opportunity: What States and School Districts Can Learn from the American Rescue Plan
  • EdNC  Marie Himes Sept. 20, 2021:  Perspective | North Carolina students engage in purpose-driven inquiry to address global challenges
  • EdNC  Caroline Parker Sept. 21, 2021:  ‘Music is just electrifying’: Harnett County teacher creates thriving choral program - “What is your purpose?”

Freebird McKinney

Director of the Office of Government and Community Affairs

“We Strive and Rise, Together.”

Board of Education Highlights

Upcoming: State Board of Education Meetings for 2021

• October 6 - 7
• November 2 - 4  (Planning and Work Session)
• December 1 - 2
• Link to SBE Meetings HERE.

State Board 2025 Strategic Plan 

Eight North Carolina Schools Named 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools Eight North Carolina public schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021 today by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. The eight schools are among 325 schools nationwide recognized this year for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps.   North Carolina public schools receiving this honor are: Pender Early College High School, Pender County Schools Sampson Early College High School, Sampson County Schools Pearsontown Elementary School, Durham Public Schools Elkin Middle School, Elkin City Schools Brush Creek Elementary School, Madison County Schools Union Elementary School, Lincoln County Schools Blue Ridge Elementary School, Ashe County Schools Sallie B. Howard Charter School, Wilson Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at https://www.nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/. Read the news release from the NC Department of Public Instruction  Read the news release from the U.S. Department of Education. EdNC Alex Granados Sept. 21, 2021: Eight North Carolina schools win National Blue Ribbon award

NCDPI Announces Inaugural Cohort of Educators Who Will Lead NC into the Future as Rethink Education Facilitators for Blended Learning   The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) announced an initial cohort of educators who will help lead the development of effective instructional approaches and content that teachers can use when schools must close for unforeseen disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.  Under a $17.6 million grant from the U.S Department of Education, the Department of Public Instruction’s Rethink Education initiative is helping districts across the state prepare for any short- or long-term learning disruptions by developing plans tailored to the specific needs of their school communities. See the list of 51 school districts, 28 charter schools, and 1 lab school that are represented in the first Rethink Education facilitators cohort. They will work together to improve student academic achievement, strengthen remote and in-person instruction, and reinvent school and community preparedness for new models of blended learning for grades K-8.    Learn more about Rethink Education, Rethink Education: Supporting a Resilient Future for North Carolina Schools | NC DPI  Rethink Education Resources for Districts and Schools Rethink Education Resources for Parents and Guardians Read the complete NCDPI news release HERE.

Legislative Update

Happenings at the Legislature   Legislative Calendar - Link to the current NCGA calendar of committee meetings and sessions Education Reports NCGA Crossover List Bills in Conference Committee H91   Accountability and Fair Play in Athletics | Conf. Committee S105  2021 Appropriations Act | Conf. Committee S173  Free the Smiles Act | Conf. Committee   S450  Various Education Changes | Conf. Committee   K-12 Education Bills to Watch   H91   Accountability and Fair Play in Athletics PCS Sponsors: Sawyer; T. Johnson; McInnis Conference Committee Appointed on 9/23/2021 House: Rep. John R. Bell, IV (Chair);  Rep. Phil Shepard;  Rep. John A. Torbett; Rep. Rosa U. Gill Senate: Sen. Vickie Sawyer (Chair); Sen. Tom McInnis; Sen. Todd Johnson; Sen. Kirk deViere WNCT:  North Carolina officials: High school sports governing deal reached    H324  Ensuring Dignity & Nondiscrimination/Schools PCS Sponsor: Berger  | Sponsors: Saine; Boles; Yarborough; Torbett  Bill Summary  Vetoed by the Governor 9/10/2021 Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House 9/13/2021   H729  Charter Schools Omnibus Sponsors: Yarborough; Hardister; Bradford; Brody Bill Summary Vetoed by the Governor 8/23/2021 Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House on 8/24/2021   H159   Education Law Changes Sponsors: Torbett; Blackwell Bill Summary Re-referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations/Base Budget on 6/30/2021

Legislative Update

K-12 Bills that have become Session Law

• Chaptered Bills – NCGA Link
• NCGA Bills and Laws page

Useful Information

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

HB/SB = House Bill/Senate Bill

JR = Joint Resolution

SL = Session Law

GS = General Statute 

PCS = Proposed Committee Substitute 

Budget Update

NCGA LEGISLATIVE BUDGET DOCUMENTS

All Legislative Budget Documents | All Annotated Committee Reports | Budget Glossary | The Budget Process

S105 Bill History 

• Conferees for S105 - 2021 Appropriations Act

Redistricting

NCGA - Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Site

Members who are not seeking re-election or are retiring next year:

• Sen. Ben Clark, D-Hoke, Known for working with Republicans 
• Sen. Wiley Nickel, D-Wake, Considering a run for the new 14th Congressional District
• Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, Longest-serving Democrat in the legislature. Advocates for expanding health care access.
• Rep. Charles Graham, D-Robeson, Plans to run for Congress 
• Rep. Larry Pittman, R-Cabarrus, 

All North Carolina state lawmakers’ terms end December 31, 2022. Candidates must file for re-election, more legislators may announce their departures.

“State of the Shire”— Community Affairs Update

District Visits & Voices Blog

“We Strive and Rise, Together.”

Twitter: #OneTeamOneVoice 

• Catherine Truitt, Superintendent of Public Instruction  |  Twitter
• Freebird McKinney, Director of Legislative and Community Affairs  |  Twitter
• Julie Paige Pittman, Special Advisor to the Superintendent: Teacher Engagement  |  Twitter
• Tabari Wallace, Special Advisor to the Superintendent: Principal Engagement  |  Twitter
• Kristie VanAuken, Special Advisor to the Superintendent: Workforce Engagement  |  Twitter

The Hunt Institute Adds 26 New Members to ElevateNC: Higher Education

September 21, 2021

The 2021 ElevateNC: Higher Education cohort is:

• Alvin Atkinson, Director, Initiative for Just and Sustainable Communities, Winston-Salem State University
• Dr. Jim Beeler, Senior Director College Access Partnerships, Appalachian State University
• Senator Jim Burgin, State Senator, North Carolina General Assembly
• Representative Becky Carney, State Representative, North Carolina General Assembly
• Dr. Monique Colclough, Director of Teaching and Learning, Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research
• Dr. Patrick Crane, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, North Carolina Community College System
• Dr. Robin Cummings, Chancellor, UNC Pembroke
• Dr. David English, Vice President for Academic Programs, Faculty, and Research, UNC System
• Senator Amy Galey, State Senator, North Carolina General Assembly
• Nation Hahn, Head of Growth, EdNC
• Karen Howard, Commissioner, Chatham County
• Representative Ricky Hurtado, State Representative, North Carolina General Assembly
• Tracey Johnson, Commissioner, Washington County
• Freebird McKinney, Director of Government and Community Affairs, NC State Board of Education/ NC Department of Public Instruction
• Andrew Meehan, Co-Founder, Relate Advocacy, LLC
• Andrea Poole, Executive Director, NC Education Assistance Authority
• Mark Reed, Managing Director, John M. Belk Endowment
• Dr. Lawrence Rouse, President, Pitt Community College
• Dr. Jennifer Servi-Roberts, Director of Veterans Upward Bound, Central Carolina Community College
• Sneha Shah-Coltrane, Director, Advanced Learning and Gifted Education, DPI
• Dr. Andrew Sioberg, Director of Educator Preparation, DPI
• Representative John Torbett, State Representative, North Carolina General Assembly
• Representative Julie Von Haefen, State Representative, North Carolina General Assembly
• Tabari Wallace, Special Advisor, Principal Engagement, Office of the State Superintendent
• Dr. Anthony Watlington, Superintendent, Rowan-Salisbury Schools
• Dr. Stelfanie Williams, Vice President of Durham affairs, Duke University

Hertford County Public Schools Ribbon-cutting Ceremony - September 17th

NEW Ahoskie Elementary School

Article: Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald.com - Game Changer  By Cal Bryant

Among those taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the new Ahoskie Elementary School included, from left, Hertford County Commissioners Andre Lassiter, John Horton, and Ronald Gatling; Hertford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. William T. Wright Jr., school principal Elenia Riddick; and Hertford County Board of Education members Shelia Porter, J. Wendell Hall, Eddie Hall, and Rev. Dr. James Shearn.

Staff Photo by Cal Bryant

It was a very special day in Hertford County on Friday, as an amazing representation of the Ahoskie community dedicated the NEW Ahoskie Elementary School! So thankful to represent the NC State Board of Education with board members, J Wendell Hall and Jill Camnitz. It was humbling to see the impact my friend and mentor, Mr. Hall has had and continues to have on this community and NC Public Schools as he represents the Northeast Region. I learn so much from him and I will continue to listen and learn to his leadership. I was also greatly humbled to represent DPI, and NC Superintendent Catherine Truitt, at the request of my friend and mentor, Superintendent William T Wright Jr. This man is another exemplary leader who embodies the commitment and dedication it takes to gather a group of community members who represent “the room where it happens” and collectively move them in a common direction towards a common goal. Huge thank you to Board Chair Ms. Sheila Porter, Commissioner Chair Mr. Ronald Gatling, Senator Bob Steinburg, and Representative Howard Hunter III, as well as Principal Elenia Riddick, for an archetypal model of partnership and vision, and we look forward to seeing the mission of a “game changing” school unfold in success. Thank you again for all you are for this community and it’s students and families. #districtvisitsvoices #educatordiplomats #EdLeadNC

National PTA:  How Parents Can Support Healthy Schools and Teachers This Year

OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONTACT INFORMATION:

• Freebird McKinney –  Director of Legislative and Community Affairs  |  984-236-2248
  • Follow Freebird McKinney on  Twitter  |  Facebook

• Anne Murtha  –  Legislative Specialist  |  984-236-2256
• Sarah Haynes – Intern, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Institute of Politics

Follow Catherine Truitt on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter

NC Department of Public Instruction: Facebook | Twitter

NC State Board of Education:  Twitter

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