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Friday, December 12, 2025 |
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Wishing You Happy Holidays and a Fantastic 2026!
This is the final K-12 Education Legislative Update for 2025. We will resume on Friday, January 9, 2026
Highlights
News From the States - Laura Leslie and Galen Bacharier | Dec. 18, 2025: Former Gov. Jim Hunt, the longest serving governor in North Carolina history, who championed education and served as a decades-long stalwart for the state’s Democratic Party, died Thursday, according to Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, his daughter. He was 88. Hunt served four terms as North Carolina governor, from 1977-1985 and then again from 1993-2000. He was known as the “education governor,” promoting pre-kindergarten — he created the state’s “Smart Start” program in the 1990s — as well as higher teacher pay. He founded the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham. In his later years, he also founded the Hunt Institute at Duke University, a nonprofit education policy think tank, as well as the Institute for Emerging Issues at N.C. State, a nonprofit that studies a broader range of public policy issues.
Statement from Superintendent Maurice "Mo" Green on the passing of Gov. Hunt:
"Governor Hunt transformed North Carolina public education through his unwavering belief that every child deserved an excellent education. From Smart Start to Teaching Fellows, from higher standards to better teacher pay, his legacy touches every classroom in our state. He was a great education governor—a champion who understood that strong public schools build strong communities and bright futures. As we mourn his loss, we recommit to his vision: that North Carolina can and should lead the nation in public education."
EdNC - Alli Lindenberg | Dec. 15, 2025: It’s been a big year for education and a big year for EdNC. In addition to winning the N.C. Press Association’s public service award, we hit our annual targets for users and pageviews in October. Neither would have happened without our readers. We’ve compiled a list of our top articles for the year categorized by news, policy, features, and perspectives.
Top news for our NC readers
This list is our top ten news articles with the most pageviews from North Carolina.
- Gov. Stein’s first budget proposal includes average 10.6% teacher raises, restores master’s pay
- Board of State Health Plan moves to set premiums based on salary tiers
- North Carolina releases school performance grades, testing data for 2024-25
- A new fiscal year begins July 1. Here’s what no budget means for NC educator pay
- State Health Plan Board of Trustees considers options to raise premiums, make other changes
- New rankings released for public high schools in North Carolina
- Senate passes budget with multiple education items, including teacher raises
- General Assembly passes mini-budget with funds for salary step increases, enrollment growth
- House budget calls for master’s pay and higher raises for beginning teachers
- State Health Plan Board of Trustees votes on benefit changes for state employees
If there was an article that was impactful for you that is not included on any of these lists, please let us know by emailing alindenberg@ednc.org.
WUNC - Amy Diaz | Dec. 16, 2025: The Education Law Center has released its annual “Making the Grade” report on school funding across the country — and North Carolina is getting an F. In terms of per-pupil funding, the state spends $6,000 less than the national average. It also ranks dead last in terms of school funding effort. That’s based on education spending as a percentage of the state’s GDP. By comparison, South Carolina ranks 10th for school funding effort, and spends about $150 less per pupil than the national average. Neighboring states Virginia and Georgia also scored higher overall.
January State Board Meeting
- Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 9 a.m.
- Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10a.m.
Overview of the December 2025 State Board Meeting.
2026 State Board of Education Meeting Dates
- January 7-8, 2026
- February 4-5, 2026
- March 4-5, 2026
- April 1-2, 2026
- May 5-7, 2026 *Planning and Work Session
- June 3-4, 2026
- July 9, 2026 (Virtual)
- August 5-6, 2026
- September 2-3, 2026
- September 29 - October 1, 2026 *Planning and Work Session
- November 4-5, 2026
- December 2-3, 2026
State Board of Education in the News:
EdNC - Sergio Osnaya-Prieto | Dec. 8, 2025: The State Board of Education met last week to discuss its legislative priorities and the Golden LEAF Schools Initiative during its December meeting, among other issues. Geoff Coltrane, the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) senior director of Government Affairs and Strategy, said the latest “mini-budget” passed in October includes several education-relevant provisions. Those include a technical fix guaranteeing virtual cooperative innovative high schools receive $200,000 annually, as well as $25 million in recurring funds for the Pay Plan Reserve to cover teacher salary step increases in FY 2025-26. Coltrane said that DPI’s leadership and staff have begun to develop the agency’s 2026 short session budget and legislative requests. He said DPI anticipates those requests will be due to the Office of State Budget and Management by mid-February, and they will be brought to the Board for discussion in February and approval in March. “We anticipate very limited revenue for this fiscal year, and I think it’s still an open question if we actually will get a budget for the ‘27 fiscal year,” Coltrane said during his presentation. “So our plan is when possible to really prioritize our budget legislative request based on the new strategic plan, and those sort of critical must-have items that we know are important.”
Access all YouTube recordings of SBE meetings here.
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December 18, 2025
Dear North Carolina Educators, Parents and Public School Champions,
As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary people who make our public schools more than just places of learning—they make them places of belonging, growth and hope.
Every day, 1.5 million students across North Carolina are touched by countless acts of care that often go unnoticed. The bus driver who waits an extra minute for the child running late, knowing that missing the bus means missing breakfast. The crossing guard who knows every child's name and greets them with encouragement on difficult mornings. These moments matter more than we realize.
Walk through any of our schools and you will witness this level of commitment and care. The cafeteria worker who remembers that a student does not like green beans and offers carrots instead. The custodian who not only keeps our schools clean and safe but collects lost jackets, knowing exactly which third-grader left theirs on the playground. The media center director who saves that perfect book for a reluctant reader, knowing it might be the one that changes everything.
Our principals who stand in hallways before dawn and long after dusk, being both protector and encourager. Our teachers see potential where others might see problems, investing not just in test scores but in the whole child. They spend their own money, their own time and pour their own hearts into ensuring every student knows they matter.
But our schools are more than their staff. They thrive because of parents who volunteer despite busy schedules, community members who mentor and tutor and local businesses that provide supplies and support. You make our schools the center of our communities across North Carolina. From the mountains to the coast, our schools serve as gathering places, safe havens and launching pads for dreams.
Gratitude is truly seeing the care and commitment each person brings to the work of public education. It is recognizing that the path to becoming the best public school system in the nation is not just about Advanced Placement test scores or graduation rates, both of these are now at the highest levels in North Carolina history, or other academic achievement measures, it is also about the million daily kindnesses that tell a child they are valued, capable and loved.
As we approach the holidays, our work to make North Carolina's schools the best in the nation continues with renewed purpose and urgency. In these times of change and uncertainty—whether in federal policy, state funding or the anxieties facing many families in our communities—your dedication shines as a beacon of stability and hope for our children.
It is precisely because of these challenges that the million daily kindnesses in our schools matter more than ever. They remind every student that no matter what happens beyond school walls, they have a place where they belong, where they are safe and where their dreams matter.
To everyone who makes our public schools places of possibility—thank you. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. Together, we are not just educating children; we are building futures, strengthening communities and achieving educational excellence one caring act at a time.
To our parents and caregivers, thank you for allowing us the honor and responsibility of educating your child.
Finally, to our students, thank you for being exactly who you are and for allowing us to help you become who you want to be.
With deep appreciation and warm wishes for the season,
Maurice "Mo" Green
Superintendent, NC Department of Public Instruction
P.S. - Visit go.ncdpi.gov/bestinnation to read our full strategic plan and learn how you can support your local schools. Together, we will achieve educational excellence!
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Reflections from the Strategic Plan Tour
This fall, State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green and other leaders hosted launch events in each region of the state for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education’s joint strategic plan, “Achieving Educational Excellence.” Educators in each region are sharing their reflections about the tour stops.
Find the two most recent reflection posts below:
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, January 12, 2026.
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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
2026 NCGA Candidate Information
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 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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Applications Open for the North Carolina Holocaust Educator Seminar in Poland 2026
The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) will sponsor five teacher spots to attend the Holocaust Educator Seminar in Poland, scheduled for July 19-27, 2026. Most expenses for the trip, including flights, lodging, some meals and activities, will be included. Selected participants would return with significant expertise in the fields of Holocaust and Genocide Education. Preference will be given to middle and high school English and social studies educators.
- The deadline to apply is January 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Find the application here.
- Selected teachers will be notified by February 2, 2026.
For additional details on programming, last year's schedule can be found here. Please direct any questions to Karen Sumner at karen.sumner@nccat.org.
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In Other News
U.S. Department of Education Press Release | Dec. 11, 2025: U.S. Department of Education announced over $208 million in new grant awards for the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration and School-Based Mental Health programs. The new awards are going to a total of 65 recipients and will increase the number of credentialed school-based mental health service providers, delivering mental health services to students in high-need local educational agencies. Of the 65 new awards, 33 serve rural communities, allocating more than $120 million to rural states and school districts. With the focus on rural and high-needs areas, these new awards will better address shortages and empower states to implement unique solutions to their school-based mental health needs.
EdNC - Caroline Parker | Dec. 11, 2025: After two years in limbo, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) was reauthorized for Fiscal Years 2024-26 with bipartisan support on Dec. 9. In North Carolina, 26 out of the state’s 100 counties receive this federal funding — impacting some of our most rural school districts. Nineteen of those counties were declared federal disaster areas after Hurricane Helene. The SRS program began in 2000, and can provide payments for roads, schools, projects on federal lands, and county projects. The funding comes from grazing, timber production, special use permits, and other activities that earn money in federally protected forests.
Office of Governor Josh Stein Press Release | Dec. 11, 2025: A report issued this week by Governor Stein’s Advisory Council for Student Safety & Well-Being formed in April 2025 relates early success stories from public school districts that have implemented policies to make classrooms cell phone-free. The video report from the Governor's Advisory Council for Student Safety and Well-Being highlights the experiences shared by early adopters of local policies that restrict the use of wireless communication devices, including cell phones, during instructional time. The new law signed by Governor Stein goes into effect in January 2026 mandating public school units’ creation and implementation of policies to restrict the use of personal communication devices. With this law, North Carolina joins 31 other states in enacting legislation on wireless communication devices.
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To view previous K-12 Education Legislative Updates, click here.
NCDPI Office of Government Affairs: Anne Murtha – Legislative Specialist
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