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Highlights
EdNC - Anna Pogaric | June 12, 2025: Meet the state lawmakers working on a final budget proposal - Now that the House and Senate have both released their budget proposals, the two chambers must work together to try to pass a compromise budget in time for the new fiscal year that begins on July 1. They do this through what’s called a conference committee, and the legislature recently released the list of representatives who will be serving on this committee. The House and Senate budget proposals have some common ground — usually an indication that an item will make it into the final budget. They would also both raise pay for teachers and other state employees, although the House proposal focuses more on beginning teacher pay. Both proposals also have some of the same policy provisions, such as granting more authority to the state’s Charter Schools Review Board and investing in literacy initiatives for students beyond third grade.
NPR - Nina Totenberg | June 12, 2025: Unanimous Supreme Court makes it easier to sue schools in disability cases - The Supreme Court on Thursday made it easier for students with disabilities to sue to enforce their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws enacted to ensure that disabled children get appropriate schooling.
EdNC - Mebane Rash | June 9, 2025: How many people in each county would be impacted by cuts to SNAP? Take a look - Last week, Gov. Josh Stein sent a letter to U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd laying out the consequences of the federal budget bill making its way through Congress for North Carolina families, including cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The letter also addresses cut to Medicaid. Proposals to shift up to 25% of SNAP food benefit costs to the states would force North Carolina to come up with $700 million annually to make up the difference or cut vital nutrition services, according to the press release. Here is how many people in each of North Carolina’s 100 counties benefitted from SNAP in April 2025.
State Board of Education
July State Board of Education Meeting
- Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 9 AM - Virtual Meeting
NC State Board of Education in the News:
NC Newsline - Clayton Henkel | June 5, 2025: Departing NC Teacher of the Year challenges State Board, legislators to do more for public schools - “Public education cannot be reimagined if it is consistently underfunded, undermined, or politicized,” Kimberly Jones said. “If we are to recruit and retain a diverse, highly qualified, and effective workforce, then we must offer more than praise. We must offer respect, autonomy, and trust.” Jones said her classroom colleagues simply deserve more. “We need competitive teacher pay that honors both experience and expertise. We need sustainable investments in student mental health because no curriculum is effective in a crisis. We need clean modern school buildings, not just in select counties but in every community.”
About the State Board of Education
YouTube recordings of SBE meetings HERE.
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From The Superintendent
North Carolina Teachers and Principals of the Year Celebrated at Governor’s Mansion
On Monday evening, our outstanding North Carolina Teacher and Principal of the Year cohorts for 2024 and 2025 were celebrated at a special reception hosted by Governor Josh Stein and Superintendent Mo Green at the Executive Mansion.
The governor and superintendent expressed their heartfelt thanks to these incredible educators for their unwavering leadership and dedication to North Carolina’s schools.
We’re proud to recognize those who go above and beyond every day to shape the future of our students!
See video highlights of the event here. See photos from the event here.
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Celebrate the Good in Public Education
Governor’s Educator Discovery Award Invests in the Professional Development of Educators
EdNC - Mebane Rash | June 2, 2025
Gov. Josh Stein and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) have awarded 10 educators across the state the Governor’s Educator Discovery Award.
“Our students benefit when their teachers prioritize their own continued education,” Stein said in a press release. “I am proud to award these professional development grants to teachers who are striving for excellence, and I am excited to hear how they leverage this additional education in the classroom.”
NCBCE is a business-led, education nonprofit that operates out of the Office of the Governor. The award includes a stipend of up to $1,000 for professional development, funded by NCBCE member companies.
Read the full story here. Congrats to all the Educator Discovery Award Winners!
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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:
EdNC - Ben Humphries and Chantal Brown | June 12, 2025: General Assembly moves forward changes in charter school oversight, and other education bills to follow - At the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee meeting on Wednesday, among the bills up for discussion was a proposed committee substitute (PCS) which would convert House Bill 832 into an “Education Omnibus.” One of the other provisions in the proposed omnibus bill comes from Senate Bill 689 (=HB 556), entitled “Charter Schools Review Board Omnibus,” which never made it past the rules committee. The provision would shift additional power from the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction — presently, Democrat Maurice “Mo” Green — to the Charter Schools Review Board (CSRB). You can read the full bill here.
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SB 50 Freedom to Carry NC | Pres. To Gov. 6/13/2025
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SB 153 North Carolina Border Protection Act | Pres. To Gov. 6/10/2025
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If the General Assembly is in session, the governor has 10 days to either sign or veto the bill.
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If the General Assembly has adjourned, the governor has 30 days to take action.
- If the governor does not act within the applicable time frame, the bill automatically becomes law without their signature.
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.
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Bill
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Title
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Action
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HB 40
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Various GSC Recommendations.
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Passed Senate Rules
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HB 328
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Ban Delta-8 & Delta-9 on School Grounds.
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Re-ref to Senate Health Care
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HB 378
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Various Ed Law//Tax Acct/NIL Changes
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Re-ref to Senate Finance
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HB 615
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Enrollment Stability for Military Students.
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Re-ref to Senate Rules
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HB 775
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Criminal History Checks for School Positions.
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Re-ref to House Judiciary 2
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HB 832
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Education Omnibus.
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Re-ref to Senate Rules
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HB 959
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Protecting Students in a Digital Age.
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House Failed to Concur in Senate Cmte Substitute
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SB 77
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School Contracted Health Services.
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House Health – 6/17/2025 @ 11AM | 643 LOB | See HB 832
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SB 133
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NCCCS LMS/NCLDS.
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Re-ref to House Rules
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SB 449
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Fisc Resp & K-20 Tech Plan/Centr Offic Salary.
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Re-ref to House Rules
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North Carolina General Assembly
K-12 Education Legislation Resources
Enacted Hurricane Helene Recovery Legislation
FY 2025-2027 Budget Information
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Useful Acronyms
DPI = Department of Public Instruction
GS = General Statute
HB/SB = House Bill/Senate Bill
JR = Joint Resolution
LB/LOB = Legislative Building/Legislative Office Building
LEA = Local Education Agency
NCGA = North Carolina General Assembly
PCS = Proposed Committee Substitute
PSU = Public School Unit
SBE = North Carolina State Board of Education
SL = Session Law
For the glossary of education acronyms/terms, click here.
For the glossary of legislative terms, click here.
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NC SUN Meals Programs Offer Free Food, Fitness, Farm to Summer, Fun for Youth
NC DPI Press Release | June 4, 2025
Through SUN Meals Programs, youth 18 and under can enjoy meals together at school and community sites. SUN Meals help youth get the nutrition they need all summer long and enjoy time with other kids and teens. In some rural areas, SUN Meals To-Go may be available for pick-up or delivery.
To find nearby summer meals at no-cost for kids and teens:
- Use the N.C. Site Finder Map at SummerMeals4NCKids.org.
- Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish).
- Check your local school district website, social media, or other communications.
- Learn more at https://go.ncdpi.gov/ncsummermeals.
The NC Farm to Summer sign-up, toolkit and other resources are available on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), Office of School Nutrition website.
SUN Meals Programs are typically located in economically distressed areas to serve the most food-insecure, vulnerable students. Meal sites may be located at schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, medical centers, faith-based facilities, libraries and other locations.
Additional information regarding NC SUN Meals Programs may be found on the NCDPI, Office of School Nutrition website. Citizens and organizations interested in getting involved as sites, activity providers or volunteers should contact the NCDPI, SUN Meals Team at summernutritionprogram@dpi.nc.gov.
Read the entire press release here.
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NC College Connect Offering Direct Admissions to Eligible High School Seniors
Exciting news! NC College Connect is launching a groundbreaking initiative offering Direct Admission to eligible high school seniors across the state for the 2025–2026 school year!
Open to public and charter school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher who meet course requirements, students will be matched with colleges where they already qualify—no traditional application needed. The program now includes more UNC System schools, NC Independent Colleges and Universities, and NC Community Colleges.
Eligible students will be notified this fall and will be able to accept their offers by completing a short form on CFNC.org.
Learn more by attending one of the events below. Additional information and a toolkit for educators will be available later in the summer.
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Parent Webinars
- The student and parent webinars will give an overview of the program, while office hours are an opportunity for more personalized support.
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Educator Webinars
- These overview webinars offer an opportunity for school counselors and other public school employees to learn about the program and ask questions.
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Office Hours
Stay informed on the NC College Connect website or send questions to NCCollegeConnect@dpi.nc.gov
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 Register for 2025 RISE Back to School Safety Summit
The 2025 RISE Back to School Safety Summit will be held from Monday, July 28, to Wednesday, July 30, at the Statesville Civic Center in Statesville, NC.
The Center for Safer Schools is also accepting session proposals and sponsor applications.
Learn more about the RISE Back to School Safety Summit and register here.
Click here to subscribe to the weekly legislative update or other NC Department of Public Instruction topics.
To view previous K-12 Education Legislative Updates, click here.
NCDPI Office of Government Affairs: Anne Murtha – Legislative Specialist
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