OPEN NOW: 2024 NC Charter Applications
The 2024 North Carolina Charter School Application is now open, as of Friday, January 26th at 5 pm Eastern. The 2024 charter application window will close on April 26, 2024, at 5pm Eastern. Applicants who are interested in opening a charter school in 2025 under the accelerated timeline, or in 2026 under the standard timeline must submit their charter applications on or before the April 26, 2024 application close date.
Both the online application and $1,000 application fee must be submitted on or before April 26, 2024 at 5pm Eastern. Applicant boards will be expected to appear in-person for interviews at the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC that will commence during the monthly meetings of the Charter Schools Review Board meeting beginning September 2024.
For questions about the charter application process, please reach out to Melanie.Rackley@dpi.nc.gov.
The link to the 2024 NC Charter School application is posted on the NCDPI Charter Schools Application page found here.
School Business February 2, 2024
|
|
|
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.
FY24 Federal PRC Data in BAAS (Various PRCs) - All PSUs
At this time, the forward funded flags are set to be flipped once the Allotments Section has received the final approvals from the Federal Programs and EC areas. We expect to receive the final allocations within the next 2 weeks and will update you when these actions have been completed.
After that has occurred for a PRC, the system will look at the actual (Initial) allotment amounts.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the unalignment of the systems, thank you for your patience as this is a safeguard for DPI’s federal compliance requirements. You should work with your financial software vendor to ensure they have the appropriate functional work arounds so your business operations are not impacted.
ESSER II Close-Out - All PSUs
We have executed our preliminary reversions of the ESSER II grants and others that ended December 2023 at the end of January. DPI has a final reconciliation process that we will be doing in the next couple of weeks. We will provide instructions to you related to how and what supporting documentation you need to provide should your data differ from what we have executed in the next couple of weeks.
Keep in mind, the only allowable expenditures from October thru December for the ESSER II grants were for those funds and exact codes that had allowable encumbrances at the end of September. Any expenditures outside of those codes were not eligible for expenditure during that period.
Thank you for your patience as we work through the close-out processes. If you have questions or concerns related to the ESSER II Close, please contact Jane Seo (jane.seo@dpi.nc.gov) and Albert Woelfle (albert.woelfle@dpi.nc.gov). Do not contact Allotments as they are not involved in that final reconciliation work.
Updated Fiscal FAQ for ESSER - All PSUs
The FAQ/Guidance document for fiscal questions related to ESSER has been updated. It is located on the FBS Website in the COVID Funds Section at the bottom of the page in the Other tab. This is a working document and will be continually updated as we receive additional guidance or questions. DPI provides guidance based on our understanding and does not provide legal counsel.
Please be sure to consult with your Board Attorney in making decisions. Questions regarding programmatic and allowability should be directed toward the Office of Federal Programs.
Cash Management Contact Information - All PSUs
Due to vacancies in the AFS-Cash Management Section, Roxane and Tina will be able to assist with your cash management inquiries. Please contact them first. They will forward and work with that section to resolve your inquiry. Thank you for this support.
IPSs: Roxane Bernard (roxane.bernard@dpi.nc.gov)
LEAs: Tina Moore (tina.boyce@dpi.nc.gov)
From the Office of Transportation
Stop Arm Enhancement Grant Funding Application - All PSUs
In SL 2023-134 the NC General Assembly directed non-recurring funds for DPI to establish a grant for Public School Units (PSUs) to acquire and install Enhanced School Bus Stop Arms. The program has been established by NC DPI and is governed by State Board of Education policy ALOT-003 which indicates that it will be distributed via allotment in PRC 087.
Three options exist as outlined in the application linked below: extended stop arm, LED illuminated, or both extended and LED illuminated. The application linked below may be submitted by any PSU which has yellow school buses, as defined in G.S. 20-4.01 (27) n. The total amount of funds available for award by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to all recipients is $370,758. The application related to this grant opportunity was provided to Transportation Directors, the Office of Charter Schools, and others receiving NC DPI School Bus list emails on Friday January 26th.
Please review the application carefully including requirements related to data collection. The application must be submitted to Brandon.Smith@dpi.nc.gov via email by 11:59 PM EST February 8, 2024.
Application:
www.ncbussafety.org/documents/stop%20arm%20enhancement%20application%20final.docx
|
|
*View prior newsletters online: Newsletters and Guidance | NC DPI.
Register for OLR's February Regional Data and Planning Sessions
In response to the upcoming ESSER funding cliff, the Office of Learning Recovery and Acceleration at NCDPI will be hosting 10 regional workshops in February 2024 focused on new student outcome datasets and utilizing the ESSER Funding Cliff Toolkit. The purpose of these sessions 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. Session participants will leave with an understanding of how to use a data-driven approach to evaluate investments and make sound budgeting decisions beyond September 2024. Review the draft agenda for more information about sessions and schedule.
Due to site 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.
To register to attend a regional event, please click here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/11f2369d28fe44db87fda24067f4e4d5.
Once you register, you will receive an automated email that contains the address of the session you registered to attend.
If you have any questions, please contact the OLR Project Manager, Jay Johnson, at jay.johnson@dpi.nc.gov or ARP Program Administrator, Dr. Richard Lewis, at Richard.lewis@dpi.nc.gov
Center for Safer Schools Awards $35 Million in School Safety Grants
Two hundred thirty North Carolina school districts and charter schools will benefit from $35 million in safety grants announced Jan. 24 by the Center for Safer Schools.
The funding will be used for safety equipment, training and services for students in crisis. Safety equipment covered by this grant includes items such as cameras, vape detectors, radios and weapons detection systems. Training can include professional development for school leaders to assist students who are experiencing anxiety, trauma and/or conduct problems. Services made available through this grant can include school-based mental health services.
CFSS Executive Director Karen W. Fairley said each application was thoroughly reviewed.
“It is part of the Center’s mandate and mission to give public-school units the tools they need to help keep their schools safer – that includes grant funding,” she said. “We thank the General Assembly for its generous appropriation that enables us to support North Carolina public schools.”
Funding for the hiring and training of school resource officers was a continuation of the $33 million in SRO funding awarded in October 2022 for the 2022-23 school year.
Awards are subject to all administrative and financial requirements, including timely submission of all financial and programmatic reports; resolution of all interim audit findings; and adherence to allowable expenses.
A list of public-school units that were awarded 2023-24 School Safety Grant funding can be found here.
OCR/CRDC - SY2021-2022 - NCDPI Updates and Reminders
Please inform other staff as appropriate. The SY2021-2022 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) is due on February 26, 2024.
Note: PSUs that were not open in the school year 2021-2022 are not required to participate in this collection.
Retention Data
It has been brought to our attention that some schools’ retention data may be incorrect in the Federal Submission Tool. NCDPI is conducting a root cause analysis to ensure that retention data is accurate for future collections. Please review and update the RETN section of the CRDC as needed.
CRDC Support
- For CRDC system-related issues, please email CRDC Partner Support Center at CRDC@aemcorp.com.
- For questions regarding the NCDPI data upload, please email nc.ocr.crdc@dpi.nc.gov.
- CRDC Coordinators can book an hour-long meeting to ask specific questions about their CRDC. Office hours will be held Tuesday through Thursday from 1pm to 5pm until February 26, 2024. Book time with Terra
NC CRDC Documentation and Webinars
NC-specific documentation is available in the CRDC Canvas course in NC EdCloud. All documents can be accessed from the Quick List of Resources page, including the NC CRDC Course List, CRDC 2021-2022 Collection by Entity, NCDPI Guidance - LEA Form 2021-2022, and NCDPI Guidance - School Form 2021-2022.
NCDPI completed the final SY2021-2022 CRDC webinar on January 17, 2024. To review the presentation and recorded webinar, visit the Quick List of Resources in the CRDC Canvas course.
NC Workgroup for CRDC
The NC Workgroup hosted at the federal level is not functioning as intended. Please refrain from using this optional workgroup. This feature will not be available for future collections.
Please email nc.ocr.crdc@dpi.nc.gov with any questions you may have.
Want information about the CRDC, but are not the CRDC Coordinator contact? Add your information here: 2122 CRDC – Info Only Contacts List
The NC SECU People Helping People scholarship application is 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 opened 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.
NCSBE Rulemaking Information
Below is a link to the website where we post information about SBE Rulemaking. It typically gets updated on the Friday the week after the SBE proposes a rule.
Important MEMOs:
 |
Office of Charter Schools (OCS) Updates
 On January 24th, OCS held the Ready to Open Planning Session Five for the charter schools preparing to open in August 2024. Presenters included the DPI Homebase team. This cohort will be amongst the first to pilot Infinite Campus SIS in the fall. Other presentations included the NC Health Plan, Marketing Strategies, Teacher Recruitment, and Performance Framework.
February 14th, 10AM; OCS Office Hours
For the Love of Charter School Leaders and Educators.
Hear from our inspiring School Leaders in the Office of Innovation, Learning Recovery, and Principal Engagement; NC State Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Andrew Smith, Dr. Erika Shoulders-Royster, and Tabari Wallace, Ed. S join OCS for an hour of inspiration with the goal of lifting up our Charter School Leaders to inspire their own staff and students! Topics such as ESSER funds, teacher recruitment, innovative college and career readiness programs, and school leadership series sponsored by DPI and Truist Trust
 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 collaborating with you!
Other Resources from DPI and beyond
FRESH TAKE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!
Please share with your educator friends and colleagues.
We encourage you to pass this information along to anyone who is interested in either attending or presenting at the CSD Annual Fresh Take Conference on
March 1, 2024.
NABSE Conference: Please Share
Superintendents, School Leaders, Administrators, Teachers, Support Staff & Parents
North Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators First Annual Statewide Conference -
March 8-9, 2024
REGISTER TODAY At ncabse.org
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO February 9, 2024
Theme: "Leading Change & Embracing Innovation: Focus on Accountability,
Evidence of New Mindsets, Positive Results, and Improved Student Achievement."
LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS!
High Expectations for all Students
Frequent Monitoring and Adjusting Instruction
Implementation of Effective Educational Research
Strategies and Best Practices
Positive Belief System for Everyone
Nurturing & Building a Positive School Community
You will receive information on the above items and much more at the conference.
There will be a panel for North Carolina TOY and POY focusing on Effective Teaching and Leadership Strategies, plus a Panel on Educational Equity/System Change with focus on "The State of Our Schools."
Tabari Wallace
Special Advisor to the Superintendent for Principal Engagement
NC Department of Public Instruction
(984) 236-2313
Tabari.Wallace@dpi.nc.gov
NCVPS Updates
1. NCVPS Continues Tutoring Program
It is time for yet another upcoming, exciting, and highly beneficial semester of Edvantage Tutoring offered by North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS). As a quick introduction (or reminder) about the program, you may view their infographic for an overview of Edvantage Tutoring.
NCVPS Edvantage Tutoring is offered in the following curriculum areas:
• 7th & 8th Grade ELA
• 7th & 8th Grade Math
• 7th & 8th Grade Science
• 8th Grade Math I
• High School Math I
• High School Math III
• High School Biology
*An asynchronous Writing Lab is offered
*ACT prep sessions are also offered
Tutoring for the Spring begins Monday, January 22, 2024, and will be available Monday-Thursday, 4:00 PM-7:30 PM nightly (through May 23rd). Daytime tutoring is also available per school/district request and may be utilized for students who are in ISS, suspended, homebound, absent, and/or working from home, McKinney-Vento, athletes needing extra support, etc.
2. Earn CEUs with NCVPS Free Professional Development
Each month, NCVPS offers several professional development sessions featuring interactive conversations in our Digital Transition webinars. Sessions feature a wide range of topics and offer CEUs in various disciplines. Sessions are also recorded, archived, and searchable. January sessions include:
“Digital Tools for Core Subject Courses”
Presenter: Nancy Hooper. Target Audience: All Are Welcome. CEU Type: Digital Learning.
Register for January 30th at 7:00pm
WORLD LANGUAGES: “Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Create Escape Rooms for Language Learners”
Presenter: Elena Allen. Target Audience: Spanish & World Language Teachers; All Are Welcome. CEU Credit Type: Spanish or Digital Learning.
Register for January 31st at 6:30pm
Social Studies Educators,
Recognizing continuities and changes over time is a critical social studies skill students must acquire. So, what are some best practices for teaching Continuity and Change Over Time (CCOT)?
Join us in this webinar workshop to find out!
Use the QR Code Below and Register Today!
Michelle McLaughlin
K-12 Social Studies Consultant; U. S. Senate Youth Coordinator
Office of Academic Standards
NC Department of Public Instruction
(W) 984-236-2827
Michelle.McLaughlin@dpi.nc.gov
School Counselor Cohort resource
Any school counselors who wish to network may share their information in this form.
You may also view the current list through this link.
Charter School Job Postings
If you have current teaching/leadership positions open and wish to share them in this newsletter, reach out to Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov and provide a link to the posting/s.
Lab School Opportunities
Whom Should I Contact at the Office of Charter Schools?
Please forward
School leaders, we encourage you to forward this newsletter on to your staff so they can subscribe to DPI bulletins directly through this link. They will enter their email and then it will bring them to another page where they can select “Charter School Comms Contacts” and any other public listserv to sign up for.
|
