ABC 11 - Tom George | July 30, 2025: Amid a lack of agreement between the Senate and House on a new state budget, lawmakers approved a mini budgetspending over $1 billion that would keep the state government moving and tackle some immediate issues. In a bipartisan 91-23 vote, the House moved ahead with the plan, which now heads to the governor's desk. Some of the biggest effects are on North Carolina schools. The plan accommodates population growth in public schools and also allows for a step increase in pay for teachers based on seniority. But education leaders worry it's still nowhere near what's needed to fund public schools in the big picture.
EdNC - Ben Humphries | July 30, 2025: After weeks of negotiations and nearly one month into the new fiscal year, the North Carolina General Assembly voted this week to adopt a continuing budget resolution — a “mini-budget” — that funds essential parts of the state government. The mini-budget funds step adjustments for employees on salary schedules, including teachers, principals, and other school staff, but does not raise salaries themselves. EdNC previously reported on the different proposals for teacher raises from the House, Senate, and governor, but none of those proposals made it into the mini-budget. House Bill 125, the bill rewritten to become the mini-budget, also funds enrollment growth adjustments for public schools, community colleges, and the University of North Carolina System.
EdNC - Mebane Rash | July 27, 2025: The U.S. Department of Education will officially release the remaining anticipated education formula funding to states. The Washington Post broke the news, also reporting that an official in the administration they spoke with said, “that ‘guardrails’ will be in place ‘to ensure these funds will not be used in violation of executive orders or administration policy.'”
Maxine Swalin Award for Outstanding Music Educator
2025 Honoree: Jana Winders - Lucama and Vick Elementary Schools, Wilson County
Mrs. Winders is in her 23rd year of teaching music at Lucama and Vick Elementary Schools. She is the President-Elect of the NCMEA Elementary Board, an active member of the North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA), and has served as the Chair of the NC Elementary Honors Chorus. In addition to directing numerous All-County Chorus events, she co-created Whirlikidz Sing to showcase elementary students across Wilson County, led music camps with the local Arts Council, and served as an adjunct professor at Barton College. Mrs. Winders also leads a chorus of 4th and 5th graders called The Singing Cardinals to perform at community events to spread joy and support local charitable causes.
Jackson Parkhurst Award for Special Achievement
2025 Honoree: Amanda Tant - Hendersonville Middle and High Schools, Henderson County
Ms. Tant is the Orchestra director at Hendersonville Middle and High Schools, where she conducts the pit for the annual spring musical and serves as the Glee Club Sponsor. Ms. Tant is a staff member of the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestras and a section violist with the Hendersonville Symphony and Brevard Philharmonic. She is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NCMEA), the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and she serves on the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra Board where she chairs the Education Committee.
North Carolina Symphony Musicians Award
2025 Honoree: Grant Logan - St. Stephens High School, Catawba County
Mr. Logan is the choral director at St. Stephens High school. He has served the North Carolina Music Educators Association as both a music performance adjudication (MPA) site coordinator and as the High School Choral MPA Chair for the state. Mr. Logan has also served as the Mars Hill Choral Festival zone coordinator and was a proud member on the board of directors for the Hickory Choral Society. As a passionate advocate for the choral arts in the local community, he is always encouraging his students to participate in statewide choral events. He proudly served the United States Marine Corps Reserves for eight years and now enjoys singing in the Hickory Choral Society.
2025 Finalists
Meredith Bryan, Garner Magnet High School, Wake County
Kelly Edgerton, Fuller GT/AIG Magnet Elementary School, Wake County
Lois Jarrell, Morris Grove Elementary School, Orange County
Sen. Phil Berger Press Release | July 29, 2025: The new version of House Bill 87, "Educational Choice for Children Act," would ensure that North Carolina residents could participate in the federal tax credit program if they donate to certain nonprofits that provide scholarships to students. The law allows a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 starting in 2027.
The Carolina Journal - David N. Bass | July 30, 2025: A bill that would strengthen the process of approving new charter schools will become law after the Republican-led General Assembly successfully overrode a veto from Democrat Gov. Josh Stein on July 29. The override vote on Senate Bill 254, Charter School Changes, in the Senate was along party lines, but three Democrats in the House joined all Republicans: Reps. Cecil Brockman of Guilford County, Carla Cunningham of Mecklenburg County, and Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County. The measure will transfer more oversight authority from the State Board of Education to the Charter Schools Review Board, empowering the latter to approve, renew, and revoke the charters of public schools operating independently of traditional school districts. It also minimizes the state Board of Education’s role in charter school operations. The Republican-led General Assembly created the Charter School Review Board in 2023 to address ongoing conflicts with the State Board of Education over charter school approvals.
New Session Laws Affecting K-12 Education
*Indicates override of Governor’s veto
HB 305 Guilford County Sales Tax Distribution Mods. Ch. SL 2025-87
A Joint Resolution adjourning the 2025 regular session of the General Assembly to a date certain and limiting the matters that may be considered upon reconvening.
Upcoming dates for the General Assembly to reconvene:
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Monday, September 22, 2025
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - Opening Day of the Short Session
K-12 Education Bills to Watch
The K-12 education bills listed below are all placed on the House Calendar for Veto Overrides on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. For a complete list of education bills to watch, see 2025-2026 Biennium K-12 Education Bills Tracking Link
HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
EdNC - Ben Humphries | July 29, 2025: Public schools served 84% of North Carolina students in the 2024-25 school year. That number is about the same as last year. EdNC previously reported that after the General Assembly fully funded school choice expansion, an estimated 6,710 of 80,325 students — just 8.4% — receiving vouchers to attend private school had attended public schools the prior school year. Over the past 10 years, on average, private school enrollment has increased annually by 4,224 students and the number of schools has increased by 21. In 2024-25, the increases were by 4,508 students and 49 schools.
The Carolina Journal - Katherine Zehnder | July 25, 2025: School nutrition professionals nationwide participated in culinary workshops hosted by the regional North Carolina K-12 culinary institute. The NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Office of School Nutrition collaborated with Chef Cyndie Story and the nationally recognized K-12 Culinary team to develop the institute with a number of core objectives, according to a press release. These goals include improving student health, well-being, and academic success by offering nutritious and appealing school meals; expanding the capacity of local school nutrition programs to purchase, prepare, and serve fresh, locally grown produce.
