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Friday, November 21, 2025 |
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Highlights
K-12 Dive - Kara Arundel | Nov. 18, 2025: The U.S. Department of Education is transferring management of six programs to other federal agencies in the Trump administration’s continued push to eventually close the agency and give states more control over education funding decisions, according to a Tuesday announcement. The programs to transfer include:
- The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- The Office of Postsecondary Education’s institution-based grants to the Labor Department.
- Indian education programs to the U.S. Department of Interior.
- On-campus child care support for parents enrolled in college to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Foreign medical accreditation to HHS.
- International education and foreign language studies programs to the U.S. Department of State.
The changes do not include movement for the management of special education, civil rights enforcement or student financial aid. However, a senior Education Department official who spoke during a Tuesday press call said the agency was continuing to explore options for those programs.
WRAL - Sydney Ross | Nov. 19, 2025: Superintendent Mo Green told WRAL News on Wednesday he had not heard any reports of immigration enforcement taking place at any North Carolina school. Green noted that Supreme Court precedent says every child is eligible to attend public schools regardless of their immigration station. Green encourages all of the schools to keep their doors open as best as they can to be sure that students “can be educated in facilities that are designed for them and that they are eligible to attend.”
North Carolina Symphony | Nov. 20, 2025: Each year, the NC Symphony recognizes three educators that are helping us reach and inspire the future musicians and audiences that are in their classrooms. The North Carolina Symphony congratulates our 2025 Music Educator Award honorees – Jana Winders (Wilson County), Amanda Tant (Henderson County), and Grant Logan (Catawba County) - who were recognized at a NC Symphony concert on Saturday, November 15.
Purple Star Award
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month -- a perfect time for schools and districts to apply for the Purple Star Award to show their commitment to military-connected students and their families. Learn more about the Purple Star Award | NC DPI
For questions on the application, please email Howard Lattimore.
Deadline to apply is February 1, 2026
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December State Board of Education Meeting
- Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 10 AM
- Thursday, Dec. 4 at 9 AM
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
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Strategic Plan Regional Tours
The 2025 Strategic Plan Regional Tour concluded with a virtual session on Monday, November 3. Thank you to everyone who attended a Regional Tour event and please stay tuned for further updates!
✔️ Northeast - Greenville, Pitt County: Thursday, September 25 - Northeast Tour Photo Gallery
✔️ Southeast - Jacksonville, Onslow County: Friday, September 26 - Southeast Tour Photo Gallery
✔️ Piedmont-Triad - Greensboro, Guilford County: Thursday, October 16 - Piedmont-Triad Photo Gallery
✔️ Southwest - Charlotte, Mecklenburg County: Monday, October 20 - Southwest Photo Gallery
✔️ Northwest - Morganton, Burke County: Wednesday, October 22 - Northwest Photo Gallery
✔️ Western - Bryson City, Swain County: Thursday, October 23 - Western Photo Gallery
✔️ Sandhills - Lumberton, Robeson County: Monday, October 27 - Sandhills Photo Gallery
✔️ North Central - Chapel Hill, Orange County: Wednesday, October 29 - North Central Photo Gallery
✔️ Virtual Tour via Zoom - Monday, November 3
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Want to get involved in making NC's public schools Best in the Nation?
Click "Be a Champion" below!
NCDPI Press Release | Nov. 18, 2025
Ten North Carolina school districts from Transylvania to Tyrrell will share more than $392 million in state lottery-funded grant awards for school construction and renovation projects.
The grants, aimed at districts in economically distressed counties, will fund new or replacement school buildings, including seven elementary schools, two high schools and one Career and Technical Education Center. The projects include complete renovations of two existing schools, and replacement of 14 existing schools.
These awards distributed through the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBPSCF), represent the largest annual allocation of capital funding from state lottery revenues. The NBPSCF was created by the General Assembly in 2017 to provide application-based grants, supplementing the state’s lottery-supported Public School Building Capital Fund and the Public School Building Repair and Renovation Fund, from which all 115 districts receive annual allocations.
Awards Include:
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Caswell County Schools – $18.8 million
- Complete renovation of Oakwood Elementary School to address major safety and operational issues affecting the learning environment.
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Duplin County Schools – $32.4 million
- Comprehensive renovation of East Duplin High School to enhance student learning and ensure a safe, modern educational environment.
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Greene County Schools – $42 million
- Replacement of West Greene Elementary School to address increased enrollment and meet modern education, safety and accessibility standards.
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Hertford County Schools – $7.1 million
- Renovation of Riverview Elementary School to construct a new gymnasium and new classrooms connected to the main school building, to address security and aging infrastructure.
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McDowell County Schools – $42 million
- Construction of a new East Marion Elementary School to consolidate aging East Global Magnet and Marion Elementary schools.
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Richmond County Schools – $42 million
- Complete replacement of L.J. Bell Elementary School to address aging facilities and ensure safe and effective learning environments.
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Rockingham County Schools – $42 million
- Construction of a new Reidsville Elementary School to consolidate two under-resourced elementary schools.
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Transylvania County Schools – $62 million
- Complete transformation of the Brevard High School campus to consolidate Davidson River Alternative School with Brevard High School while constructing a new CTE facility.
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Tyrrell County Schools – $62 million
- Construction of a new PK-13 CTE facility to replace outdated and flood-prone buildings with a modern structure.
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Wilson County Schools – $42 million
- Construction of a new Wilson Elementary School to consolidate two outdated elementary schools into a safe, environmentally modern and accessible building.
Awards are capped at $42 million for elementary school projects, $52 million for middle school projects and $62 million for high school projects.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction reviewed and evaluated grant applications in accordance with the criteria identified in statute, including county development tier designation, ability to generate new revenue, debt-to-tax revenue ratio, to which projects will address critical deficiencies, consolidation and replacement of multiple existing facilities, and counties that have not received a grant in three years.
In total, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction received 92 applications totaling nearly $2 billion in requested funding. The NBPSCF grant program is funded annually through budget appropriations of North Carolina Education Lottery revenue.
NCDPI Press Release | Nov. 19. 2025: Under the guise of a schoolwide assembly at Pittsboro Elementary School, fourth grade teacher Shane Henderson was surprised with being named as the newest Milken Educator Award recipient on Wednesday morning. The prestigious recognition comes with an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000. Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop was joined by North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green to present the Award to Henderson before a gymnasium of cheering students, educators, dignitaries and media.
Click on image above to view the video of the surprise award announcement!
Video courtesy of the Milken Educator Awards.
K-12 Education Bills
Bills To Watch
The following bills affecting K-12 education are still eligible for additional legislative action this session. All of the bills below have been placed on the House Calendar for Monday, December 15, 2025, although it is currently unlikely that any votes will be taken during this reconvening.
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HB 87 Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).
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HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI.
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SB 50 Freedom to Carry NC.
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SB 153 North Carolina Border Protection Act.
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SB 227 Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education.
Reminder: Bills ≠ Laws
Only a few dozen bills typically make it “across the finish line” and become law each legislative session.
- For the current 2025 legislative session, 1,800+ total bills were introduced.
- Of these, 108 bills have become law so far.
- Of these 108 new laws, NCGA staff have noted 42 laws relate to education in some way.
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North Carolina General Assembly
SJR 776: Adjournment Resolution Changes, approved by lawmakers in September, adjusted the legislative schedule for the remainder of the 2025 long session.
The NCGA is currently scheduled to reconvene on the following remaining dates, although legislative action on these dates, if any, is still to be determined:
o Dec. 15, 2025 - Dec. 18, 2025
o Jan. 12, 2026 - Jan. 15, 2026
o Feb. 9, 2026 - Feb. 12, 2026
o March 9, 2026 - March 12, 2026
o April 6, 2026 - April 9, 2026
o April 21, 2026 — Start of 2026 Short Session
State Budget Information & Resources
2025 State Budget Proposal
2025 Enacted "Mini Budgets"
2023 State Budget
Other State Budget Resources
K-12 Education Legislation Resources
Enacted Hurricane Helene Recovery Legislation
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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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In Other News
Outward Bound - On January 24, 2026, hundreds of thousands of young people, and those who care for them, will take The Reset Pledge: a commitment to step away from screens and contribute to a collective goal of 10 million+ hours of real-world connection. The Reset — a national movement launching in 2026 to help young people live healthier, more connected lives through time outdoors and balanced digital habits. Today’s youth face mounting pressures, often without the tools or space to thrive. The Reset isn’t anti-technology—it’s pro-balance. It’s about reclaiming time for what matters: real connection, nature, and mental well-being. TAKE THE PLEDGE
Feminine Hygiene Products Grant (FY26) - Application Now Open
The application for the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program for the 2025-2026 school year is now available. The Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 per PSU to purchase feminine hygiene products. To receive this funding, your PSU will need to complete the grant application in its entirety.
Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. PSUs that did not receive a grant in the previous fiscal year will be given preference. Please review the allotment policy (page 76) for more information.
Click here to access the Feminine Hygiene Products Grant Program Application
- Questions about the application or grant award process
- Contact: Lillian Pinto, Reproductive Health Consultant, via email: lillian.pinto@dpi.nc.gov.
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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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