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Some Upcoming Dates of Note
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REQUIRED (due April 1) SIS Calendar Inputs
Charter Schools are exempt from legislated requirements for school start and end dates. All schools of any type are required by law to enter the following school calendar information in the SIS by April 1. The information will be pulled directly from the SIS on April 2—there’s no need to submit it separately.
- 2026-2027 Instructional Start and End Dates (Required)
Please enter your school's instructional start and end dates for the 2026-27 school year into the SIS by April 1. All NC public schools, regardless of type, must provide a minimum of 185 days or 1,025 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months.
- 2026-2027 School Month Setup (PMR Reporting Intervals) (Required)
Please enter your school’s PMR Reporting intervals into the SIS by April 1. School Months 1 and 2 must be exactly 20 instructional days each. The remaining intervals (School Months 3-9) should be between 16 and 26 days each.
- 2026-27 Start and Release Times (Required)
Please enter your school’s start and release time into the SIS by April 1. “Start time” is the time of day when academic classes begin for the majority of students enrolled in the school, and “release time” is the time of day when academic classes end for the majority of students enrolled in the school. This information is pulled directly from the SIS.
TWC Reminder
TWC Survey window closes March 31! Please make sure to complete the Teacher Working Conditions Survey. If you have not received codes, reach out to {surveysupport@adi.org}. You can monitor response rates on the NC TWC Website.
Update on Threat Assessment Reporting Requirements
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is providing an update on the new threat assessment reporting requirements issued by the Center for Safer Schools (CFSS) in December 2025.
As we shared on Friday, February 27, CFSS has extended the reporting deadline for assessments completed before December 3, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
CFSS confirmed this extension in a March 4 letter, which also included updated information and guidance on completing behavioral threat assessment and management incident reports.
DPI is reviewing the new guidance and will follow up with PSU leaders once the review is complete.
OCS April 2026 Virtual Office Hours: National School Lunch Program
Agenda: Join us for April Virtual Office Hours, with presentations from the National School Lunch Program for initial information and updates regarding this program. This will also afford schools a Q & A session for pending questions. April 16th at 10am
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ML/Title III PD Survey Window Open Now Through May 15th
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) ML/Title III and Office of Federal Program teams are responsible for collecting specific data from Public School Units (PSUs) and reporting it to the U.S. Department of Education, the NC State Board of Education, and NCDPI leadership. To streamline this process, NCDPI has combined these data collections into a single survey. All PSUs serving one or more students identified as English Learners must complete this survey by May 15th, 2026.
The survey is housed in Qualtrics for easy access. You can now complete all survey questions directly in Qualtrics. To help you prepare, the ML/Title III Team has created a comprehensive worksheet with step-by-step instructions. We strongly recommend completing this worksheet before accessing the survey in Qualtrics to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience. The link to the survey is in the instruction document. If you have any questions, please reach out to marshall.foster@dpi.nc.gov or susan.walz@dpi.nc.gov.
New NC Charter School application window closes April 24th.
The 2026 NC Charter School Application window opened on January 30th at 5 PM (EST) and will close on April 24, 2026, at 5 PM (EST). Applicants looking to open a charter school in 2027 (accelerated) or 2028 (standard) must submit their application and $1,000 fee by the deadline.
In-person interviews for applicant boards with the NC Charter School Review Board will take place at the Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC, starting in September 2026. The application link is posted on the NCDPI Charter Schools Application page. For questions, please contact Melanie.Rackley@dpi.nc.gov.
Updated School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual
This is a MUST HAVE resource for all charter school administrators.
2025 SASA Manual
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March 20, 2026
The FBS website continues to be updated with information related to School Business and our ongoing operations. Please check the FBS homepage regularly for updates. Please review the upcoming deadlines for due dates.
Prior Year Refunds Update and Webinars - All PSUs
Effective in mid-April, the process for returning prior year State funds for overspent PRCs, overspent months used, overspent salaries, and penalties will be moving to the Cash App. In order to facilitate a clean transition into the new process, effective Monday, March 23 they will not be available on the Refunds and Repayments Droplet form and SBS will no longer accept manual checks for these refund types. Only checks for previously submitted droplet forms will be accepted after that date. PSUs should continue to use the form and manual checks to return TD-19, IDEA Maintenance of Effort, Questioned Costs, and Sales Tax funds.
To assist PSUs, SBS will be hosting the following webinars on the new Refunds Module in the Cash App, which will be recorded for those that cannot attend:
We look forward to seeing you there. Please contact CashMgt@dpi.nc.gov if you have any questions.
As a reminder, LEAs can view their prior year overspent State funds and penalties using the "701. State Overdraft Refunds and Repayments" report on SBSDART.
Real Property Status Report - All PSUs
Uniform Guidance requires the award recipients to report on the real property acquired or real-property improvements made throughout the grant funding period for as long as federal interest is retained (2 CFR 200.330). In keeping with the requirements, please complete the relevant sections for each real property projects which were acquired, modified, and/or improved using ESSER I, ESSER II, and/or ESSER III funding. All PSUs that received ESSER I, II, or III funding are required to submit the survey.
The survey is posted on the What’s New page and is due by April 20, 2026. Per Uniform Guidance, reporting on the status of the real property is required annually. The completion of this questionnaire will be requested every year, starting in 2023.
Note: For guidance on real property or equipment, please refer to NCDPI’s “Frequently Asked Fiscal Questions Related to ESSER and GEER, Includes Construction Related Questions.”
For questions regarding the survey, contact David.Cauthorn@dpi.nc.gov.
Required 2026-27 School Calendar Reporting - All PSUs
Please share the information below about legislated school calendar information with your SIS coordinator.
The following school calendar information must be entered in the SIS by April 1, even if your school is exempt from start/end date requirements. The information will be pulled directly from the SIS on April 2—there’s no need to submit it separately.
2026-2027 Instructional Start and End Dates (Required)
Please enter the school's instructional start and end dates for the 2026-27 school year as approved by your local board into the SIS by April 1. All NC public schools, regardless of type, must provide a minimum of 185 days or 1,025 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months. Most PSUs are required to comply with calendar start/end date requirements. Unless the PSU is in an exempt category (SASA, p.54) or has received an approved calendar waiver for the 2026-27 school year, the start date should be no earlier than August 24, 2026 and the end date should be no later than June 11, 2027.
2026-2027 School Month Setup (PMR Reporting Intervals) (Required)
Please enter your school’s PMR Reporting intervals into the SIS by April 1. School Months 1 and 2 must be exactly 20 instructional days each. The remaining intervals (School Months 3-9) should be between 16 and 26 days each.
2026-2027 Start and Release Times (Required)
Please enter your school’s start and release time into the SIS by April 1. “Start time” is the time of day when academic classes begin for the majority of students enrolled in the school, and “release time” is the time of day when academic classes end for the majority of students enrolled in the school. This information is pulled directly from the SIS.
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Deadline Reminders
ALL PSUs
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DUE DATE
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TOPIC
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NEWSLETTER
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Monday at 11:45 pm
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Cash Requests for Friday FRD
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11/21/2024
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04/17/2026
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ABC Transfers
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03/20/2026
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CTE has contracted with Pam Taylor to serve as CTE Regional Coordinator for Charter Schools. Any Charter questions on CTE can be directed to her.
Her email is Pam.Taylor@dpi.nc.gov
2026 ELA Standard Course of Study Initial Statewide Implementation Session Registration Open
Registration Closes May 15, 2026
During Summer 2026, the NCDPI K-12 ELA Team will provide in-person professional development on the 2026 ELA Standard Course of Study (SCOS) in all 8 State Board of Education regions. PSUs are invited to register for a full-day initial statewide implementation session introducing the 2026 English Language Arts K-12 Standard Course of Study. The promo flyer reiterates the following information and provides another way to access the registration link.
Please note: Only one registration form is needed per PSU, and ELA Leaders are encouraged to coordinate with district and school leadership to select appropriate attendees before completing the form.
Purpose
With a team from your PSU, join us for a one-day professional development--specifically targeted to ELA Leaders--to learn more about the new 2026 ELA SCOS which is scheduled for implementation in the 27-28 school year. Topics covered will include
- Standards basics and a high-level review of the newly adopted ELA SCOS
- Resource exploration including unpacking documents, glossary, crosswalk, and vertical progression
- Support for local messaging and communications
- Implementation guidance for planning and considering next steps
Audience
Each PSU may register up to four team members to attend this training. ELS’s will receive a separate training opportunity, so please do not include this individual on your team. Suggested representatives include
- PSU ELA Leaders (e.g., district/school admin, district/school coach)
- K-5 Teacher Leader that will support local implementation
- 6-12 Teacher Leader that will support local implementation
Dates and Locations
Training will be offered in all 8 regions of the state. Dates and host cities are provided below. Specific venue information and session times will be emailed to participants upon registration confirmation.
- Sandhills - June 16, 2026 - Fayetteville, NC
- North Central - June 17, 2026 - Durham, NC
- Southwest - June 23, 2026 - Kannapolis, NC
- West - June 25, 2026 - Asheville, NC
- Northwest - June 30, 2026 - Morganton, NC
- Northeast - July 9, 2026 - Washington, NC
- Piedmont-Triad - July 14, 2026 - Greensboro, NC
- Southeast - July 16, 2026 - Wilmington, NC
Please note: Registration confirmation emails for this PD will include details about directions, room locations, session times, and any necessary preparation. Charter school training will be done virtually at a later date, but charter school teams are welcome to come to any of the regional in-person dates listed above.
Updated Computer Science Course Lists for SY26-27
Pursuant to G.S. 115C-12(9d), the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has published updated Computer Science Middle School Elective Offering and High School Graduation Requirement course lists. The updated high school course list adds ten new course options, and the updated middle school course list adds three new middle school elective options along with four additional high school courses that can be taught in middle school. Completion of any course identified on the approved High School Courses Eligible for Middle School list will satisfy both the CS middle school course elective offering and high school graduation requirement.
Pursuant to G.S. 115C-12(9d), Local Implementation Delay Waiver Requests were available only for 2024–2025 and 2025–2026; no waivers are permitted for full implementation beginning in 2026–2027.
Link: NCDPI Computer Science Graduation Requirement
Spring 2026 Medicaid in Education [MiE] Cohort
Developing efficient, effective Medicaid cost recovery programs requires foundational knowledge and collaborative effort. These cohorts will support PSU efforts to develop or improve their Medicaid cost recovery efforts. Best results are achieved when a full PSU team participates! Recognizing we all have competing priorities, PSU teams can ensure all content is received, adapted, and applied to local circumstances, procedures, and organizational structure.
This flexible, inclusive, virtual cohort will complete the on-demand Medicaid in Education course with a focus on FFS; however, all Medicaid programs are covered.
Participants will:
- Complete the assigned module and profile rating
- Meet virtually to clarify concepts, answer questions, and
- Collaborate for implementation, establishing PSU practices, and procedures
The Spring 2026 Medicaid in Education [MiE] Cohort will run from March 24th through May 7th on Thursday afternoons.
- 'Just Getting Started in Medicaid' sessions will be offered on March 24th or 26th.
- MiE Cohort orientation sessions will be provided March 31st or April 2nd. Please follow this link to the schedule for the Spring 2026 Cohort
- All (individuals, dyads, small groups) are welcome to participate in MiE cohorts but most effective change occurs with collaborative teams and full PSU Medicaid teams are strongly encouraged
- Suggested PSU (district or charter) team members:
- EC Administrators- Directors, Coordinators
- School Business or Finance officers
- Administrators who will be a point of contact the Medicaid program (central office, finance, EC)
- Related service providers
- Personnel involved with MAC or RMTS
- Any interested parties or personnel assigned to Medicaid program management
- Participants can and should vary from module to module, the schedule includes suggested team participants for each meeting
- Time will be allocated for questions and implementation work
You/Your PSU (district, state, or charter school) team can register here- https://go.ncdpi.gov/Spring26MiECohort for:
- Just Getting Started in Medicaid sessions
- MiE Spring26 Cohort
- Both or
- Indicate need for follow up technical assistance for Medicaid cost recovery
If you have any questions or would like to set up time with me for your PSU, team, or personnel, give me a call at 919) 636-1827.
Thank you for your interest!
Wishing you a peaceful and healthy 2026,
Laurie Ray
Consultant for Physical Therapy & Medicaid
Supporting Teaching and Related Services
Office of Exceptional Children
NC Department of Public Instruction
M: (919) 636-1827
laurie.ray@dpi.nc.gov
RISE 2026 Registration
Registration is now open for the 2026 RISE Back to School Safety Summit! The Center for Safer Schools' largest event will be held from Tuesday, August 4 to Thursday, August 6 at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, N.C.
Join us for sessions including bullying prevention, suicide prevention, critical incidents and threat assessment. We will use the Whova app for scheduling and to engage with attendees leading up to RISE.
Check the Center for Safer Schools newsletter and social media for more details over the coming months. If you have questions, send an email to CFSS@cfssnc.gov. 
Important DHHS Resources for Charter Schools
Please click on each link and read thoroughly.
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Construction Careers Scholarships for High School Seniors
The NC Home Builders Educational & Charitable Foundation offers scholarship opportunities for students pursuing a career in construction.
The Workforce Development Regional Scholarship program awards scholarships as much as $1,000 to high school students planning to attend a community college/technical school and study a career in anything related to residential construction. Examples are: construction, carpentry, HVAC, Electrical, etc. . Rising junior and senior students at a four-year university are eligible for a number of scholarships through the foundation.
Deadline is March 30, 2026.
Tracie Garrett, CEM, CMP
Director of Special Events and Charitable Foundation
Sign Up for NCDPI Newsletters
Did you know NCDPI produces a variety of newsletters on various topics across North Carolina K-12 education? Whether you’re looking for news on school counseling, digital teaching & learning resources, middle school science or K-12 education legislation updates, there is something for everyone.
A few examples of subscription offerings are:
- K-12 Education Legislative Update
- News Releases
- Digital Accessibility Newsletter
- Exceptional Children Information for Parents
Click here and enter your email address to see all the subscription lists and newsletters available to receive
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NOTE- To sign up for the Office of Federal Programs listserv, please contact your assigned Consolidated Program Administrator. Contacts can be found by clicking this link and selecting your region at the bottom of the page.
NCVPS Supporting North Carolina’s Computer Science Graduation Requirement
As North Carolina schools prepare to meet the state’s new computer science graduation requirement, many PSUs are facing a common challenge: finding qualified teachers and building course capacity.
North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) is helping PSUs meet this need by offering high-quality computer science courses that students can take virtually while remaining enrolled in their local school. Our courses are taught by experienced teachers and aligned to state standards, providing districts with a reliable option as they plan for implementation.
Current NCVPS Computer Science Courses
CP10 – Python Programming I Honors
2A02 – AP Computer Science A
0A02 – AP Computer Science Principles
CS31 – SAS Base Programming Honors
Expanding the Catalog
NCVPS is continuing to grow our computer science offerings to support PSUs across the state. Upcoming additions include:
CS30 – Introduction to Data Science (new high school and middle school courses launching for Fall 2026)
CS10 Introduction to Computer Science (new high school and middle school courses launching for Fall 2026)
CA10 – Artificial Intelligence (new high school and middle school courses anticipated Spring 2027)
As PSUs work to meet the new graduation requirement, NCVPS remains committed to expanding access to computer science education and supporting schools that need flexible, scalable solutions. View our courses at: ncvps.org/catalogs.
Other Resources from DPI and beyond
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Share excellence in education!
Post exceptional student work or exciting happenings at your NC Charter School. Then tag or mention OCS on Social Media for others to see!
Remember when you share on social media to use #WeAreNCCharters or @NCCharterOffice
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We would like to cordially invite you to a special opportunity on our campus here at IC Imagine.
Please join us for IC Imagine's first Social Emotional Learning Showcase on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 8:30-11:30 to learn how social emotional learning takes flight at IC Imagine!
Experience evidence-based approaches that support our K-12th grade students’ social-emotional growth and leave with a deeper understanding of how these critical skills impact our school climate, culture, and students’ future ready development!
Showcase Overview:
Please register here by April 15, 2026, to ensure your spot!
Please reach out to Amanda Bell, MTSS Behavioral Health Coordinator, at amandabell@icimagine.org , with any questions.
Our Kingfisher Community is eager to welcome you!
Charter School Job Postings
Job postings will include the posted date and will be deleted after two months. Schools may request early removal or extension. Contact Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov with a posting link.
On April 10th, at 1pm, Voyager Academy in Durham will be hosting a Recruiting Fair for anyone who is interested in joining their team.
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Ashley Logue • Director, Office of Charter Schools
Please send general inquires to ocs@dpi.nc.gov
Contact information for area specialists can be found on the Office of Charter Schools Directory.
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