School Business – December 21, 2023
The FBS website continues to be updated with information related to School Business and our ongoing operations. Please check the FBS homepage regularly for updates. Please review the upcoming deadlines for due dates.
January Teacher Bonus Update – all PSUs
The Third Grade Read to Achieve Teacher Bonus (PRC 046) and the Principal and Other Teacher Performance Bonuses (PRC 048) will be allotted in January. The staff qualifying for the bonus will be posted to the normal sites; the HR Secure Shell and CTE should be communicating that bonus information.
PSUs are responsible for ensuring that those employees on the listings provided by DPI qualify for these bonuses based on their internal records. You cannot solely rely on the DPI file to ensure compliance. Please contact Michael Ray (michael.ray@dpi.nc.gov) should you have any questions. Please be aware that Michael will have to check with the appropriate program areas to provide you those answers, as SBS compiles the information based on the accountability data and information from other sources. However, SBS is happy to be a single source of contact for you.
New Federal PRC 146 ReThink Grant – all PSUs
Do not prepare a budget in the CCIP system for the new federal PRC 146 ReThink Grant. The CCIP system will not process the federal PRC 146 ReThink Grant budgets. Please prepare journal entries to post your federal PRC 146 allotments.
If you have questions, please contact Roxane Bernard at roxane.bernard@dpi.nc.gov.
From the Center for Safer Schools
School Safety Grant Update – all PSUs
This year we had an unprecedented number of grant applications, which is incredibly encouraging. The cumulative grant request amount is almost four times the amount of funds that the General Assembly allocated to the School Safety Grants this session.
This makes our review process more critical. We wanted to take a deep, detailed look into the applications since we recognize that we simply don’t have enough money to fully fund the requests. Each application has been reviewed and assessed multiple times, and that review is ongoing for the reasons already stated.
We recognize that this year’s legislative session lasted much longer than anticipated and, in fact, the budget was only recently certified by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management. Rather than try to expedite the award process, we would like to take the rest of this year to finalize the assessment process to ensure we have been as diligent in our review as possible.
Letters of award will be sent out in early January, which will provide us time to align the awards more closely with the Department of Public Instruction finance process. We understand that this might be later than usual, but this year has provided unique circumstances that led us to this decision.
We remain steadfast in our dedication to serve each of you so you can best serve our children statewide. We look forward to awarding this funding as soon as possible.
Upcoming Deadlines
Real Property Status Surveys (all PSUs) are PAST DUE, submit ASAP.
Details are in the November 13, 2023 newsletter *
Financial Statement Audits (all PSUs) are PAST DUE, submit ASAP with an explanation for the delay.
Details are in the September 15, 2023, November 3, 2023, and December 1, 2023 newsletters *
Federal Grant Liquidation and Closeout (all PSUs) - grants expired on September 30, 2023 must be liquidated by December 29, 2023, excluding ESSER II funds with an approved extension.
Details are in the September 15, 2023 and October 27, 2023 newsletters *
After School Robotics and Plasma Games Competitive Grant Opportunities (all PSUs) - Applications for After School Robotics grants are due December 31, 2023 and applications for Plasma Games are due January 15, 2024.
Details are in the December 8, 2023 newsletter *
*View prior newsletters online: Newsletters and Guidance | NC DPI.
Public Information Officers and Charter Communication Leaders,
Thank you for joining us [12/13/23] for our quarterly call. If you were unable to attend, you can find the meeting recording with integrated chat and transcript here.
Additional resources mentioned in the call:
Time Stamps:
- 1:10 - Sneha Shah-Coltrane, Parent's Guide to Student Achievement
- 3:58 - Karen Fairley, school safety updates
- 7:57 - Dr. Jeni Corn, TWC Survey updates and 2023 Year-Over-Year Recovery Analysis
- 24:30 - Dr. Vanessa Wrenn, NC SIS updates
- 32:00 - Rachel Wright Junio, ESSER funding cliff
- 40:30 - Tracey Bates, summer nutrition awards and school nutrition updates
- 49:10 - DPI reminders
2024 Quarterly Meeting Dates:
- February 7, 8:30 a.m.
- May 8, 8:30 a.m.
- September 11, 8:30 a.m.
- December 11, 8:30 a.m.
Please reach out to communications@dpi.nc.gov with any questions or to share about exciting things happening in your district.
 OCS Office Hours
The purpose of the OCS Office Hours is to allow Charter School Leaders to connect with NCDPI department representatives virtually. NCDPI departments will share information and resources. Please see the upcoming session below.
January 11 at 10 am: Office of Learning Recovery. RSVP HERE to receive a calendar invite with the connection link.
OCS Lunch+Learn
Mark your calendar! Our next quarterly Lunch+Learn is scheduled for February 19 at Pine Springs Preparatory from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. School tours will begin at 10:30 am. The topic of discussion is Navigating Charter School Legislation. Please RSVP HERE.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events. For questions, contact Dr. Brandi Gill at brandi.gill@dpi.nc.gov. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids
Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program, partnering with the NC Department of Health and Human Services and RTI International, a non-profit research institute, works to eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in school buildings. As a legislative mandate, learning facilities are required to meet rule requirements (NC 10A NCAC 41C.1001-1007 [ncdhhs.gov], NC 154A NCAC 18A.2816 [cph.dph.ncdhhs.gov]). Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids is a free program that provides support through testing, inspections, mitigation, and communication resources. Participation in the program is designed to improve learning facilities for NC children across the state.
Center for Safer Schools; Human Trafficking Prevention Month Resources
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which raises awareness about human trafficking and serves to educate the public about how to identify and prevent it. The Center for Safer Schools is doing its part by hosting eight simultaneous screenings of the film “Choices” across each of its eight educational regions.
The screenings will be held at the following locations on Thursday, Jan. 25 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.:
Western: Minitorium, 175 Bingham Road, Asheville
Northwest: Bowman Middle School Auditorium, 410 S. Mitchell Ave., Bakersville
Southwest: West Cabarrus High School, 4100 Weddington Road, Concord
Piedmont-Triad: Morehead High School, 134 N. Pierce St., Eden
North Central: Room 150, Education Building, 301 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh
Sandhills: Turlington School Auditorium, 116 W. Prospect Ave., Raeford
Southeast: Odell Williamson Auditorium, Brunswick Community College, 50 College Road NW, Bolivia
Northeast: Northampton County High School, 152 Hurricane Drive, Gaston
Following the screenings, Center for Safer Schools staff will facilitate a discussion about the film and how it relates to human trafficking.
RSVP at https://forms.gle/gzmgVUiZAFWkiaRK7. If you have questions, send an email to cfss@dpi.nc.gov.
SRMP Training
The Center for Safer Schools announces dates for School Risk Management Plan training during the 2024 spring semester.
In-person sessions at the Training Center in Moore County will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 10; Wednesday, Feb. 7; Wednesday, March 6; and Thursday, April 4.
Online sessions via Webex will be held from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9; Tuesday, Feb. 6; Tuesday, March 5; and Wednesday, April 3.
After completing SRMP training, attendees will be able to:
- Input site-based school data to develop a comprehensive schematic diagram and plans into the SRMP portal.
- Both identify and discuss vulnerabilities and training gaps in their individual plans.
- At least once annually initiate a full schoolwide tabletop exercise on the procedures documented in the SRMP portal.
To obtain the most beneficial training within the SRMP system, charter school personnel should ensure that their school has been loaded into the SRMP and that they have an active NCID and are able to log into SRMP. LEA personnel should make sure they can log into SRMP using their NCID.
If you are not able to log in, click here to try to reset your NCID password first.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop, as they will receive technical guidance to ensure their plans meet the necessary state requirements. Please register for only one session, as they’re all the same.
For more information on SRMP training, send an email to CFSS Assistant Director-Physical Security Karen Everett.
ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit & Webinar Registration
Education Leaders,
In response to the upcoming ESSER funding cliff, the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration at NCDPI has created an ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit designed specifically for PSU leaders as they plan for the 2024-2025 school year. The purpose of the toolkit is to provide PSU leaders with relevant information and data around ESSER expenditures and student outcomes as well as resources to understand which ESSER investments were most effective. The toolkit is designed to support a data-driven approach to evaluating investments and budgeting post-ESSER funding beyond September 2024. By approaching this process early, PSU leaders will be able to fully understand what worked and develop plans for sustaining or sunsetting various programs and initiatives.
Within the toolkit, you will find a step-by-step process including a budget process visualization template, a link to your PSU’s ESSER Fiscal Cliff Dashboard, a Return on Investment Calculation Tool, a Zero-Based Budgeting Template, and communication resources.
The ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19BfCzC1ookw7uQT_f2D9x0KIbyXCSKY_Edop4wV89Z4/edit?usp=sharing.
To support the use of the ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit several informational webinars will be held in early January. You can register for a webinar using the links below:
Webinar Registration Options:
Tuesday, January 9th - 3:00-4:15 PM
Wednesday, January 10th - 12:30-1:45 PM
Friday, January 12th - 9:30-10:45 AM
Finally, the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration will be hosting 10 regional workshops in February 2024 focused on new student outcome datasets and utilizing the ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit. Due to capacity and funding these sessions are limited to 6 attendees per district and 3 attendees per charter school. Please work with your district or school leaders to assemble a team of key decision makers around ESSER and budgeting. We suggest including at least the CFO, the Federal Programs Director, and Superintendent or designee.
More information about these regional meetings can be found in the flyer here and attached below. To register to attend a regional event, please click here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/11f2369d28fe44db87fda24067f4e4d5.
If you have any questions, please contact the following individuals:
Rachel Wright-Junio, Director of the Office of Learning Recovery & Acceleration
Dr. Andrew Smith, Assistant State Superintendent
January 18th, 11AM - NC TWC Webinar: Charter Schools
We will be discussing changes to the Teacher Working Conditions survey. The hope is to make it more meaningful for all PSUs.
EVAAS Bonus 2024 Qualifying Teacher Spreadsheets
Greetings HR Directors:
I hope you are all well and looking forward to the Holidays. This email is to notify you that NCDPI will be placing spreadsheets with the teachers who have qualified for an EVAAS bonus. These spreadsheets will be placed in your ShareFile folder either today or tomorrow. I am also attaching an updated FAQ on how to read the spreadsheet and rules on the administration of the program. There are updated messages in the FAQ which I have entered in red text to help you better identify those changes.
If you have any questions about the spreadsheets or the bonuses, please let me know.
Thanks,
Tom
Thomas R. Tomberlin
Senior Director, Educator Preparation, Licensure, and Performance
Office of Licensure and Educator Preparation
Division of Educator and Student Advancement
NC Department of Public Instruction
P: (984) 236-2114
thomas.tomberlin@dpi.nc.gov
The NC SECU People Helping People scholarship application is now open, due March 5th
NCSECU Foundation Scholarship
SECU Foundation takes an active role in assisting communities across North Carolina because we believe in “People Helping People®.” To support this commitment, the People Helping People scholarship was established to help North Carolina public high school students attend college. A scholarship award of up to $10,000 over four years will be awarded to 10 Charter High School Seniors across the state. The Application Process will open on December 1st. Please share this scholarship opportunity with your high school guidance counselors and deans to promote this scholarship opportunity. Applications will close on March 5th, 2024, with selection interviews starting March 22nd, 2024. All final nominations are due to Dr. Natasha Norins by March 5th via email with PDF attachments from applicants. For further assistance, please contact Dr. Natasha Norins, natasha.norins@dpi.nc.gov.
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