Highlights
The Assembly - Bryan Anderson | June 3, 2025: Why are N.C. Republicans Brawling Over the State Budget? - The tax fight is far from the only policy disagreement between the two chambers. The Senate’s budget plan would raise the base pay for new teachers, currently $41,000, by $510 over the next two years, or 1.2 percent. The House proposal would increase starting teacher pay to $50,000 over that period, a 22 percent boost. Rep. Erin Paré, a Wake County Republican who has spearheaded the GOP’s effort to raise teacher pay, said she’ll push for the Senate to be more generous. “This is something to fight for, and I think it’s time that we do something very significant for our teachers,” Paré said. “I look forward to that process. We have a great case to make about why North Carolina should be top in the Southeast.”
NC Political News - John Hood | June 4, 2025: John Hood: Put Your Tax Cards on the Table - The two sides are far apart on capital projects, pay raises for public employees, policy changes, and other issues. But the fundamental difference involves taxes.
The Carolina Journal - Theresa Opeka | June 2, 2025: Report: NC ranked sixth-best state economy for 2025 - However, that rating may take a hit in the next few years as the state’s budget analysts have scaled back the state’s General Fund revenue projections for the next three years, citing signs of economic slowdown and increasing pressure on the economy from tariffs in federal trade policy. The May 2025 Revised Consensus Revenue Forecast, released by the Office of State Budget and Management and the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division, projects that state revenues for the current fiscal year will total $34.71 billion — still above initial expectations, but $180 million below February’s forecast.
K-12 Dive - Kara Arundel | June 2, 2025: Education Department eyes program cuts, consolidations in FY26 budget plan - The Trump administration revealed more details of its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Education on Friday, detailing its vision for how the agency would support students with disabilities and those from low-income families while also cutting federal red tape and expanding school choice incentives.
EdNC - Ben Humphries | June 2, 2025: How to contact your lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels - Different governmental bodies have their own representative lookup tools. With the U.S. Congress lookup tool you can find your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators. The North Carolina General Assembly lookup will show your N.C. state representative and state senator, and also gives you options to search by county and district. If you aren’t registered to vote, you can register here.
Advisory Council for Student Safety and Well-Being Publishes First Report
NC DPI Press Release | June 5, 2025
Fifteen North Carolina middle schools have been selected to participate in the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative, a five-year, $25 million program made possible by funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation. The initiative aims to improve school performance through innovative educational strategies with a focus on mathematics and career development. Golden LEAF Schools is supported by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), in partnership with the Golden LEAF Foundation and Marzano Resources.
“The Golden LEAF Schools Initiative is a powerful first step toward our goal of ensuring that North Carolina’s public schools are the best in the nation,” said North Carolina State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “By investing in middle school math instruction – especially in our rural and economically challenged communities – we are building a foundation that prepares every student for college, careers and lifelong community engagement.”
The selected schools are divided into two cohorts: the Transformative Schools Cohort (TS) and the Personalized, Competency-Based Education Cohort (PCBE). The initiative emphasizes collaboration within each cohort, aiming to foster long-term educational improvements and workforce development across the state.
The TS Cohort will receive comprehensive support focused on improving schools through implementation of the Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS) Framework and the Open Up Resources Problem-Based Math Curriculum. Schools included in this cohort are:
- Bertie Middle School, Bertie County Schools
- Carver Middle School, Scotland County Schools
- Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School, Lenoir County Public Schools
- East Alexander Middle School, Alexander County Schools
- East Rutherford Middle School, Rutherford County Schools
- Harnett Central Middle School, Harnett County Schools
- Northern Middle School, Person County Schools
- Union Middle School, Sampson County Schools
- Warren County Middle School, Warren County Schools
- West Lee Middle School, Lee County Schools
The PCBE Cohort focuses on instructional transformation and assists schools with demonstrated readiness to begin a shift towards Competency-Based Education (CBE). Schools included in this cohort are:
- Dunn Middle School, Harnett County Schools
- Hayesville Middle School, Clay County Schools
- Swain County Middle School, Swain County Schools
- SanLee Middle School, Lee County Schools
- Waynesville Middle School, Haywood County Schools
The selected schools went through a rigorous application and evaluation process, including an interview with key stakeholders such as the district superintendent, school principal and district office curriculum and instruction leaders.
Read the entire Press Release here.
|
State Board of Education
June State Board of Education Meeting
-
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 10 AM
-
Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 9 AM
-
Government and Community Affairs
-
2025 United States Senate Youth Scholarship Recipient Recognitions
- 2025 Delegates - Fatou Lo of Winston Salem and Sriya Vangala of Weddington were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation that will attend meetings and briefings with senators, the president, a justice of the Supreme Court, leaders of cabinet agencies, and other officials throughout the week. Each delegate will also receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study.
- United States Senate Youth
-
Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC) Recommendation: North Carolina Principal Portfolio Assessment (NCPPA)
-
Report to the NC General Assembly: Opportunity Scholarships -- Financial Report
About the State Board of Education
YouTube recordings of SBE meetings HERE.
|
From The Superintendent
As the “Mo Wants to Know” listening and learning tour comes to a close, I want to personally thank you for sharing your feedback on the future of North Carolina’s public schools.
From the Appalachian Mountains to the Pasquotank River to many virtual sessions and feedback submissions, I heard from stakeholders in every part of North Carolina. You and more than 5,000 others across the state provided valuable insights and ideas that will shape the joint strategic plan between the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education.
Your feedback has been essential as we identify our priorities and areas of focus for the work ahead. I am committed to faithfully echoing the collective wisdom of the parents, educators and citizens across the state who took the time to engage in this listening and learning process. The final strategic plan is expected by the end of the summer, and I look forward to reconnecting with you then with more opportunities to support North Carolina’s public schools.
In the meantime, I invite you to watch this video for a behind-the-scenes look at my journey from the mountains to the coast, and everywhere in between. Additionally, I am including a report that summarizes the findings from the tour. I am so grateful that your perspective is included.
As I shared in each session, the work of “Achieving Educational Excellence,” the vision of North Carolina public schools, does not lie upon one person’s shoulders; it will take each and every one of us. With your participation and interest in the "Mo Wants to Know" series, you have already taken an important step to be a part of this network of public education champions. Let’s continue moving this work forward.
Thank you,
|
 Maurice "Mo" Green
Superintendent, NC Department of Public Instruction
Celebrate the Good in Public Education
EdNC - Derrick Lee | June 2, 2025: ‘More than a tour of duty’: The living legacy of Dr. Dudley Flood - Dr. Dudley Flood recognized with Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. “We’re living in a moment that calls for hope, light, and love: Hope for our futures, light to see our way, and love for one another. Through your service, you are providing all three. On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to you for your volunteer leadership, and I encourage you, Dr. Flood, to continue to answer the call to serve. The country is counting on you, President Joe R. Biden."
EdNC - Amy Parker Bowman | May 27, 2025: CCC&TI announces scholarships for Valle Crucis Middle School students - The letter to parents reads in part: “This scholarship is more than financial assistance, it’s a celebration of the resilience, courage, and determination these students have shown every day. We already think of these students as future cobras and want to make college possible for all who wish to enroll at CCC&TI.”
|
Scheduled Education Committee Meetings
|
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
|
|
 |
K-12 Education Bills
Bills eligible to be filed in 2025 with no deadlines:
- Redistricting bills for House, Senate, Congress, or local entities.
- Ratification of amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
- Bills providing for action on gubernatorial nominations or appointments.
- Appointments by the General Assembly.
- Adjournment resolutions.
- Bills introduced on the report of the House Committees on Appropriations, Finance, or Rules.
Bills in the News:
WRAL NEWS - Kelsey Coffey | June 3, 2025: NC lawmakers debate raising tobacco purchase age to 21 amid vaping crisis - Lawmakers will host a 10 a.m. news conference, including Donnie Loftis, R-Gaston, and Gale Adcock, D-Wake, who are lead sponsors of the bill. Teenagers are also planning to speak out against vaping and ask lawmakers for help battling youth vaping and nicotine use.
NCGA Press Conference - SB 318/HB 430 Protect Youth From Harms of Vaping & Nicotine (Solly's Law) | YouTube Video - Request for a hearing for legislation to increase the age from 18 to 21 to purchase vaping products.
|
K-12 Education Bills to Watch
In addition to the bills scheduled to be heard in education committees next week, here are ten education bills to watch. For a complete list of education bills to watch, see the tracking link above.
- HB 116: Local Bd. of Ed. Election Changes
-
HB 477: Retirement Death Benefits Rewrite. -AB (Presented to Governor 6/5/2025)
-
HB 506: 2025 State Investment Modernization Act. -AB (Presented to Governor 6/5/2025)
- HB 615: Enrollment Stability for Military Students
- HB 832: Revise School Safety Grant Program
- HB 959: Protecting Students in a Digital Age
- HB 1012: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part II
- SB 50: Freedom to Carry NC
- SB 257: 2025 Appropriations Act
- SB 375: Harrison's Law
|
