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Some Upcoming Dates of Note:
See below for details
- April 15th 9AM- OCS April Office Hour: Digital Accessibility, followed directly by collaboration with the school business division at 10am.
- April 25th- Deadline for new charter applications.
Has your school helped revitalize the community through facility acquisition and/or renovation? Has your school contributed in other ways to economic development of your community in a tangible way OCS can use as data in our annual report? OCS knows that many charters bring new life to formerly empty buildings and community spaces. We'd like to highlight some of this development. Please email ashley.baquero@dpi.nc.gov to share!
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OCS April Office Hour: Digital Accessibility, followed by FBS
Join us for April's Virtual Office Hour, April 15th at 9:00 am with Donna Murray, NCDPI's Digital Accessibility Specialist, on the topic of ADA Compliance and Title II Implementation. At 10a.m. we will be joined by representatives from the School Business Division to provide guidance on the state planning allotments mentioned in their previous newsletter.
Charter School Directors and Finance Directors: SBS will join the Tuesday, April 15th Office Hours Session hosted by the Office of Charter Schools from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M.
Please register through the link below. 1 Registration for both 9am and 10am.
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2025 NC Charter Applications
The 2025 NC Charter School Application opened on Friday, January 31st, at 5 PM (EST) and will close on April 25, 2025, at 5 PM (EDT). Applicants interested in opening a charter school in 2026 under the accelerated timeline or in 2027 under the standard timeline must submit their charter application and payment by the April 25, 2025, deadline.
The online application and $1,000 application fee must be submitted by April 25, 2025, at 5 PM (EDT).
Additionally, applicant boards must attend in-person interviews at the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC, during the monthly Charter Schools Review Board meetings starting in September 2025.
The 2025 NC Charter School application link will be posted on the NCDPI Charter Schools Application page.
For any questions regarding the charter application process, please contact Melanie.Rackley@dpi.nc.gov.
NCCTM Outstanding Math Teacher
It is that time of the year to nominate an Outstanding 6-12 Math teacher from your school!
This memo from Kristy Day, the Director of the Office of Teaching and Learning, contains further information about the partnership between the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the purpose of this award.
The memo also contains a link to the form to submit the 6-12 teacher from your school to receive this award.
The chosen teacher will receive:
- Recognition at the awards ceremony during the NCCTM State Math Conference on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Winston-Salem,
- One-year free membership to NCCTM, and
- Will have their names published on NCCTM website and publication, the Centroid.
The deadline for submission is June 16, 2025.
Please contact Jennifer Parker (jennifer.parker@dpi.nc.gov), K-5 Math Consultant, with any questions.
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School Business April 10, 2025
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.
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From the Office of Federal Programs
UPDATE: Title VI Compliance Certification Due Date Extension - All PSUs |
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On April 7, 2025 the U.S. Department of Education offered an extension for State Education Agencies to certify compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the responsibilities outlined in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. As part of this federal mandate, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction must collect certification responses from all public-school districts, charter schools and other special school leaders (e.g., residential, regional, lab) in North Carolina.
While we continue to evaluate this federal mandate, we are requesting that all local districts, charter school leaders and leaders of other special public schools complete the certification form confirming your district or school's compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. This certification must be now submitted to NCDPI no later than Wednesday, April 16, 2025, to allow us time to meet the federal response requirement.
Directions for how to upload this certification into CCIP were sent out last week and can be found here:
FY 2025 FP-Consolidated application shell in CCIP (https://ccip.schools.nc.gov).
To assist you, we’ve created a short four min. video walking through:
- How to locate the Federal Certification of Compliance with Title VI Requirements document in CCIP
- How to properly complete the document
- How to upload the completed and signed document into CCIP
Video Link: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/ldr.php?RCID=7f8cf71042479fca0e53c4d7dfb738cd
Password: vJbQRG5B
We will follow up next week with additional guidance on this issue. We understand this request comes with a tight timeline, and we appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.
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April State Board Meeting Update
The NC State Board of Education (SBE) approved the changes to the Manuals below during its monthly
meeting on April 3, 2025. The adjustments have been made in each manual and posted to our What’s
New webpage.
State Allotment Policy Manual
- Definitions – Added Supplemental Funds for Teacher Compensation (PRC0071) to the list of Initial Allotments
- ABC Transfer of Funds – Clarify the position transfers from Program Enhancement Teachers (PRC 0004) to Classroom Teachers (PRC 0001)
- School Building Administration (PRC 0005) and Supplemental Funds for Teacher Compensation (PRC0071) – 6th pay period changed to 5th
- Digital Learning Initiative: Digital Literacy Solution (PRC 0078) – Extended the deadline to expend funds to March 31, 2025
- Hurricane Relief and Recovery (PRC 0230) – Updated policy for new School Extension Learning Recovery Program funding allocated by SL 2025-2
Salary Manual
- Helene Updates:
- Section A - Part II: Changes and Legislation Impacting the 2023-25 Biennium was updated to include the four Hurricane Helene Relief Acts (SL 2024-51, 2024-53, 2024-57, and SL 2025-2)
- Section F - Added code 55 to track staff absences for Hurricane Helene missed days and days deemed completed
- Section D: Added clarification to the National Boards for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Differential Pay policy
School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual
- Chapter 7, School Calendar - Added sections with guidance on additional calendar flexibility per the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025, Part I
Disaster Recovery Update - Helene and PTC8 PSUs Only
SBS has updated our Disaster Recovery Act Summary and FAQ document to clarify funding for PRC 0230. As a reminder, SL2025-2 allowed PTC8 PSUs in Brunswick and New Hanover counties to receive PRC 0230 funds to compensate their School Nutrition employees and contractors for up to 10 remote days under SL2024-51.
We have also posted a School Extension and Learning Recovery Program (SELRP) FAQ to our What's New page to assist PSUs with planning their programs.
Please contact SchoolFinancialReporting@dpi.nc.gov with any questions.
School Extension Learning Recovery Program (SELRP) Hurricane Helene - Selected PSUs Only
Per SL 2025-2, the following LEAs are required to participate in the School Extension Learning Recovery Program (SELRP):
- Ashe County Schools
- Avery County Schools
- Buncombe County Schools
- Burke County Schools
- Haywood County Schools
- Henderson County Schools
- Madison County Schools
- McDowell County Schools
- Mitchell County Schools
- Rutherford County Schools
- Transylvania County Schools
- Watauga County Schools
- Yancey County Schools
The Charter Schools located in the counties listed above maybe elect to participate in the SELRP program.
Should charter schools, who have the option for participation, opt-out of the program, those funds will be redistributed to all PSUs who are participating in the program. The Office of Research will work with the PSUs impacted by this program as well as determine any charter schools who will be opting out of the program. Once the opt-out process is completed, the funds will be allocated in PRC 0230.
Posted on our website are the estimated planning allocations for this program. We have also posted a School Extension and Learning Recovery Program (SELRP) FAQ to our What's New page to assist PSUs with planning their programs. Please also see the guidance document created by the Office of Research.
Please contact Michael.Maher@dpi.nc.gov with any SELRP program questions. Questions about planning allotments can be directed to SchoolFinancialReporting@dpi.nc.gov.
YTD Zero Out Entries – All PSUs
Due to how the federal funds have to process with the Office of the State Controller, the cash transactions are processed as two separate batches on back-to-back days. Please wait for all batches to process for the week before looking at the data. Please document your general ledgers accordingly.
- March YTD State and negative Federal zero out entries will process on 4/10 for LEAs.
- March YTD positive Federal entries are scheduled to process on 4/11 for LEAs.
- All YTD Federal and YTD State zero out entries for IPSs are scheduled to process on 4/11.
Contact CashMgt@dpi.nc.gov for zero out questions.
Allotment Update
FY2025-26 State Planning Allotments
Planning Allotments were posted Thursday, April 3rd; we acknowledge and thank you for your continued patience during the State Planning process.
Thank you to everyone who attended the LEA Planning Webinar this week. We have posted the presentation to our What's New page.
To facilitate planning allotments, SBS will hold the following webinar next week:
- Charter/Regional/Laboratory School Directors and Finance Directors: SBS will join the Tuesday, April 15th Office Hours Session hosted by the Office of Charter Schools from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M.
All Charter, Lab, and Regional Schools are strongly encouraged to attend.
ABC Transfers
The March 21st newsletter may have caused confusion regarding the ABC transfer deadline notice. ABC Transfers are being processed monthly. The deadline for April transfer submissions in the Allotment System is April 17th at midnight. The current deadline for May submissions is Friday, May 16th (midnight). This is the last main ABC transfer deadline to ensure your May reports reflect your allotments for the close out. Due to the Salary Audit work we will accept final ABC transfers through June 12th, this year only due to the circumstances.
Please contact Allotments@dpi.nc.gov with any questions.
ESSER Annual Performance Report Discontinued – All PSUs
The US Department of Education has discontinued all ESSER reporting, effective immediately. Please see the communication from USED below for more information.
We would recommend that all PSUs retain their records for these federal funds for the audit period. The ESSER Survey and Reporting is no longer required. We will be taking the current ESSER Survey instruments off the website. Thank you for your patience and for your reporting of this important data. If you have any questions please contact SchoolFinancialReporting@dpi.nc.gov.
NCDPI will, however, need to collect some data required for Learning Loss under the governing legislation for compliance purposes. We will be sending out more information next week related to that requirement.
Invalid Account Codes Monthly Financial Report (MFR) Period 9 – All PSUs
The MFR data for Period 9 (March 2025) have posted to SBS DART.
Please check the report “PSU Invalid Codes” and make corrections to be submitted with the next MFR data file submission (due 5/2/2025). MFR records with invalid account codes are not loaded into the Cash App, which impacts the cash amounts during the monthly zero-out.
Please DO NOT RESUBMIT the MFR data file for Period 9 or any other previous periods.
If there are questions or concerns, please send to SchoolFinancialReporting@dpi.nc.gov.
Salary Audit/LicSal Update
SBS sent out blasts on the following topics and new reports to Finance Officers last week. For more information, please reach out to your LEA's Finance Officer.
- Projected YTD Salary Calculator
- Compliance Validation Reports
- Stopped Sending Summary Record Report
- Stopped Sending Summary Record Removed Report
- Reporting Period Corrected
- LicSal: Calculating Salaries Guide
- Exception List
- Pay Period 09 Salary Load
We are working with the LEAs via Salary@dpi.nc.gov to schedule dedicated office hours to facilitate salary audit wok with our team. We are creating an e-sign up tool to facilitate scheduling in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your support and patience while we continue to implement system improvements.
SBS Summer Conference Save the Date and Hotel Group Rate
Our annual summer conference will be Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Please hold that date and be aware that it will be in a new location: the Embassy Suites in Cary, NC.
The discounted Room Block is open and will be available until July 1st, so please jump on those rates and secure your room. Thank you for your continued participation in our conference! We will send out more information in the coming weeks.
From the Office of Exceptional Children
PRC 118 Allotments: Interpreter Stipend
Earlier this school year, the OEC collected information from PSUs regarding interpreters meeting the NC State Board of Education requirements to increase their EIPA scores on or before June 30, 2024. The OEC is pleased to announce that we are able to show our appreciation to each of these individuals by providing a one-time $1500 stipend. These funds were allocated to PSUs with interpreters meeting these requirements last Friday, March 28, 2025, in PRC 0118.
The OEC has received inquiries about standard withholdings, including State and Federal income taxes, social security, retirement, etc., and inquiries regarding interpreters who meet the requirements but were not on the provided list.
Like an employee’s salary, the stipend is subject to the standard withholdings including State and Federal income taxes, social security, retirement, etc. These funds will also be subject to local indirect cost. Based on this, Public School Units (PSUs) will be responsible for determining the final stipend after these deductions are made.
Finally, EC Administrators were notified about a potential stipend in three different September 2024 weekly updates and asked to provide the names of qualified individuals employed by the district. The OEC is providing this one-time stipend to those educational interpreters who were reported by their EC Administrator and met the requirement.
Please see the list of the PSUs and the interpreters awarded the stipend. In order to allow PSUs the opportunity to process and distribute these funds, this notification to EC Administrators is the only communication that has occurred from the OEC to date. Please communicate with the interpreters receiving this stipend and extend our appreciation for the work that they have done and will continue to do to support our students.
Questions? Contact SBS
Deadline Reminders
ALL PSUs
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DUE DATE
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TOPIC
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NEWSLETTER
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04/14/25
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Winter Inclement Weather Days Survey - Selected Helene PSUs Only
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03/28/25
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Applications for K-12 Math Standards Writing Team Now Available!
The NC Department of Public Instruction K-12 Math Team is excited to announce the NC State Board of Education has approved to transition from the review phase of the N.C. K-12 Math Standard Course of Study to the revision phase. The process is guided by the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (NCSCOS) Procedures Manual, adopted by the Board of Education in February 2022.
The first step is establishing the Standards Writing Team (SWT). Working in grade-level/content area groups, the SWT considers possible revisions to K-12 Math when and where applicable. This may involve slight modifications, major modifications, deletions, additions, or no changes to current standards. The SWT Scope of Work provides a full explanation of the requirements for the SWT.
All SWT members will be asked to participate in an in-person kick-off event July 29th - 31st in Asheboro, NC. NCDPI will reimburse for any travel costs associated with the training.
SWT applications are due by 8:00am EST, Monday, May 12th, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their selection status between Monday, June 16th, 2025, and Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025.
Please contact Dr. Charles Aiken (charles.aiken@dpi.nc.gov), Section Chief for Math, Science, and STEM, with any questions.
Click here to apply: Math Standards Writing Team Application
Center for Safer Schools April 2025 Newsletter
The Center for Safer Schools April 2025 newsletter, featuring information on the 2025 RISE Back to School Safety Summit — including a registration link and links for discounted hotel rates — is now available. Click this link to read the newsletter on Smore: https://secure.smore.com/n/d1mtb
Now Open - PRC079 Innovation and Grade Expansion Grant Applications
The Education and Workforce Innovation Commission Grants (both under PRC079), the Innovation Grant and the CTE Grade Expansion Grant, applications for the 2025-26 grant year are now open. The applications will close on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 5:00 pm. There will be no deadline extensions for any circumstances.
There are two notable changes to the applications and programs this year:
1. The applications will be housed in Google Forms. The applications are not in NCCCIP this year. The link to the applications is forthcoming.
2. The funding amounts available to each applicant for both grants has increased; folks may apply for up to $65,000 for the CTE Grade Expansion Grant and $100,000 for the Innovation Grant. Please remember the Innovation Grant requires a 50% match.
Disclaimer: These applications are being released prior to the official passing of the 2025 budget from the North Carolina General Assembly. With that, grant funding is subject to the final state budget allowances. Awards will not be distributed until after budget certification.
Application links:
1. Innovation Grant Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1gn3x3m-96lY3gBjBzyumJEEri5B-AlaGR5Ns7lad6_I3pw/viewform?usp=dialog
2. Grade Expansion Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesRiaLaLtTL3O0HKCWiubdp9R71Th2GYbVrn4KCouqmLYNtA/viewform?usp=dialog
Open Office Hours: (these times are available for applicants to drop in to ask Jacqueline Wyatt questions about the applications, grants, etc.)
1. April 11, 2025 – 10:00 am to 11:00 am
2. May 2, 2025 – 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Attached to this announcement is the document you will need to understand the new application process.
If you have any questions about these two grants, please contact Jacqueline Wyatt at Jacqueline.Wyatt@dpi.nc.gov.
Driver Education and Driver Eligibility Certificate (DEC) Info
- Driver Eligibility Certificates (DEC)
- There is no state prerequisite for the student to show a driver education certificate to receive a DEC from the school of attendance.
- However, schools may require the student to be finished with DE before they issue the DEC being that it’s only good for 30 days.
- Students need both at the license office.
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Driver Education Completion Certificates –
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No need for charter schools to have these.
- There are three acceptable forms at the license offices.
- The new streamlined form (combined all three)
- Old PSU form
- Old DMV 611 form
Karl Logan, karl.logan@dpi.nc.gov
RISE 2025 Registration
The Center for Safer Schools is accepting session proposals and sponsor applications.
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If you or someone you know has a school safety workshop that would be appreciated by participants at the summit, click this link to complete the form: https://forms.gle/N79vNg7qYe4JF2L46
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The submission deadline for both session proposals and sponsor applications is noon Friday, April 18, 2025, with notifications going out on or before Friday, May 9.
CFSS BTAM Training Dates
The Center for Safer Schools will hold School Risk Management Plan Training during the spring semester. See upcoming dates on the CFSS Training Calendar. 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. All sessions are the same.
For more information on School Risk Management Plan Training, send an email to CFSS Assistant Director-Physical Safety & Compliance Karen Everett
Registration for Regional Training for Charter School Arts Education Leaders, Arts Education District Leaders and Teacher Leadership Teams is Now Available.
Join the Office of Academic Standards K-12 Arts Education Consultants to learn how to lead unpacking guidance of the new K-12 Standards in Dance, General Music, Vocal & Instrumental Music, Theatre, Technical Theatre, and Visual Arts in your charter schools! It is advised that Charter Schools please send one individual who can best support the implementation of the new standards at their school. If serving multiple schools/grade bands and feel that an additional leader would be beneficial, please contact laura.stauderman@dpi.nc.gov or brandon.roeder@dpi.nc.gov to check on seating availability prior to registering. Leaders can register for any of the eight trainings should the one offered in their region not align with their schedules.
Charter schools now have a dedicated SIS professional contact!
We are pleased to introduce Jennifer Fogleman as your new dedicated NCSIS Professional Learning Consultant for Charter Schools, effective immediately.
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience in the Student Information System (SIS) and is committed to providing you with the same high level of service you've come to expect from our team.
The NCSIS Professional Learning Consultant team is here to support you, please don't hesitate to contact Jennifer if you have any questions or concerns.
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Charter School Feedback for the SIS Professional Learning Team
This is the link to the Charter School feedback survey we are conducting at the SIS Professional Learning Team. The feedback from charter schools is vital in helping us support you during the transition to the new NCSIS, Infinite Campus.
Other Resources from DPI and beyond
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NCVPS 2025-2026 Enrollment Now Open!
NCVPS has opened registration early to support schools and districts as they prepare for the transition to the new statewide student information system. Schools and students can now explore our updated course catalog and plan for summer, fall, and spring enrollment. We recently added Honors 1 and 2 options for French, Latin, and Spanish, and we have a new filtering feature in our registration system to make finding courses easier. As you register, consider Early Start vs. Standard Start options to align with your school’s academic calendar. Don’t wait—secure your enrollments today! See all the details in our latest NCVPS E-lert.
NC MTSS Secondary Support Updates & Release of Resources
We are pleased to share an update and release of resources for our NC MTSS Secondary Support and Research Project. Your IABS Team spent two years researching and working alongside district and school teams to provide a comprehensive view of MTSS installation and practices at the secondary levels in North Carolina.
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Share excellence in education!
Post exceptional student work or exciting happenings at your NC Charter School. Then tag or mention OCS on Social Media for others to see!
Remember when you share on social media to use #WeAreNCCharters or @NCCharterOffice
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Charter School Connections
April 22nd-25th at Cullowhee. NCCAT programs are free for NC public school staff for the course, lodging, and all meals.
Course Description
How can charter school teachers and leaders build networks of support for school, staff, and students? With each charter school operating as an independent LEA, how do we form communities with other charter school educators to share best practices and increase community support? Explore how to better advocate for your specific school's mission and engage with your local community. Learn best practices in connecting students to digital learning and student leadership development through exploring project-based learning, service learning, and best practices for using AI in the classroom. Using a “make and take” model, participants will have time to develop a communication or networking plan, digital lessons, conflict resolution tools, and project-based modules to share with your school.
Telra Institute Hosting StepLab
Calling all Instructional Coaches, School Leaders, Department Heads, and Mentor Teachers. North Carolina is proud to host the wizards behind StepLab when they visit the U.S. this May. This is *the* event for anyone interested in supercharging teacher development. Let's work together to uplift teachers across the State!
Learn more and register for this full-day professional development event hosted by Telra Institute in Charlotte, NC on Saturday, May 3.
Register for NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Summer Opportunities
Join the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) this summer for transformative professional development. These residential programs provide educators with the tools, strategies and support to elevate their teaching. Each week, teachers engage in content-rich instruction, explore proven methodologies and receive coaching to implement new insights effectively. The goal is to empower educators to create classrooms where students are more engaged, self-motivated and successful.
Learn more about the professional development opportunities available at NCCAT this summer and register here.
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2024 Standards of Professional Conduct
Please download and distribute this OCS guidance document.
School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual
This is a MUST HAVE resource for all charter school administrators.
2024 Updated SASA-Manual
Charter School Job Postings
Job postings will include the posted date and will be deleted after two months. Schools may request early removal or extension. Contact Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov with a posting link.
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Ashley Baquero • Director, Office of Charter Schools
Please send general inquires to ocs@dpi.nc.gov
Contact information for area specialists can be found on the Office of Charter Schools Directory.
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