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Some Upcoming Dates of Note
- November 10th- EL Headcount Due
- November 19th, 10am- OCS Office Hour
- December 31st- Transportation grant due
- January 15th- Remote Charter applications due
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Virtual Office Hours for November 19th, 10 am-
Join the Office of Academics and Standards, and the Office of Charter Schools, with Dr. Kristi Day, on legislative updates, grants, and other updates on ELA standard updates, with other content that will be useful for your Curriculum planning needs.
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Updated School Attendance and Student Accounting (SASA) Manual
This is a MUST HAVE resource for all charter school administrators.
2026-2027 SASA Manual
TRANSPORTATION GRANT 2026-2027
In accordance with § 115C-218.42, the completed application and supporting expense documentation must be received in Epicenter no later than 12/31/26 11:59PM EST. This is a hard deadline and no extensions will be granted.
The 26-27 Transportation Grant instructions and application have been assigned in each school’s Epicenter account. Please review the instructions and application fully before reaching out with questions. Instructions, deadlines, and more are provided within that document. You must serve at least 50% Economically Disadvantaged students in order to receive funding. OCS will confirm your EDS headcount following the December headcount. Questions should be directed to Nicky Niewinski < Nicole.Niewinski@dpi.nc.gov>. Remote Charter Academy Applications: 2027–2028 School Year
Existing charter schools interested in operating a Remote Charter Academy (RCA) for the 2027–2028 school year must submit all application materials by Friday, January 15, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Schools should review the RCA application instructions, secure formal board approval, and email Julie.Whetzel@dpi.nc.gov to request an Epicenter task. The application, budget, board meeting minutes, and required supporting documents must be submitted through the assigned task. Following OCS review, complete applications will be forwarded to the Charter Schools Review Board for consideration. The board chair and/or school leader must participate in an interview.
These instructions apply to existing charter schools only. New charter applicants must use the standard charter application process.
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Reminder: Weighted Lottery Amendment for NC GROW CSP Grant
Schools intending to implement a weighted lottery as part of the NC GROW Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grant must obtain CSRB approval through the charter amendment process if the weighted lottery is not already included in their approved charter. Grant approval does not replace charter amendment approval.
Please contact Julie Whetzel at julie.whetzel@dpi.nc.gov to request an Epicenter task and begin the process. Plan ahead to allow time for review and approval before implementing the weighted lottery and the CSP deadline. -
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October 29, 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.
FY2026-27 Allotments - All PSUs
The following items are scheduled for allotment by end of week:
- PRC 0085 – Literacy Intervention – SoR/LIP & Read to Achieve Reading Camp Signing Bonuses
Allotment Reminders:
State Funds Carryforward Reversions
PRC 0016 - Summer Reading Camps FY26 Carryforward will revert as of 10/31/2026.
If you have general questions, please email allotments@dpi.nc.gov.
SS-200 Access Approval Notifications - All PSUs
Some users may experience delays in receiving their SS-200 access approval confirmation emails. DPI IT is aware of the issue and is working with DIT to resolve it. Access requests are being approved shortly after submission, so users who have not received a confirmation email should still try logging into the SS-200 system to verify their access. The email delay does not affect access to the system or the ability to complete the report. As a reminder, the SS-200 report is due today, Friday, October 30, for all PSUs. The survey link and PDF are available on the DPI SBS What's New page.
Cash Management Updates
Prior Year Refunds Update - All PSUs
This week, SBS processed all refunds entered into the Cash App as of Wednesday, October 28th. The next processing date for refund payments will be noon on Monday, November 23rd. Penalties (PEN) accruing as of October 1 for unresolved or unpaid unspent days used (PYD) refunds have been uploaded into the refunds module.
All FY2026 State refunds owed to NCDPI have been loaded into the PSU Cash App, with the exception of overspent salaries (PYS), which will be posted later this fall. Please note that overspent days used (PYD) refunds have replaced overspent months used (PYM) refund types from FY26 onward to reflect the transition from months to days in LicSal. PYM refunds will remain in the Cash App for FY25.
The amounts owed have been updated in the 702. Prior Year State Overages report in DART in the PSU folder. This report includes all refunds owed, including overspent salaries (PYS). Although overspent salaries are not available for payment yet in the Cash App, please review these amounts and contract the Salary Section for any amount you believe to be in error. Note that this report is static as of September 1st and will not be updated after that date. To review your updated balances, please refer to the refunds module in the Cash App.
If you are working with our Salary Section to resolve errors in LicSal that are leading to amounts owed, please be sure that you have sent all supporting documentation to Salary@dpi.nc.gov. DO NOT pay refunds in the Cash App unless you agree your PSU owes those funds. Once you make a payment for salary-related overages (PYD, PYM, or PYS), we will not be able to provide a refund.
Cash Calendar Deadlines - All PSUs
Friendly reminder that the deadline to request State, Federal and Local cash is on Mondays at 11:45 PM unless stated otherwise in the Cash App. The cash request calendar on the homepage of the PCA reflects the holidays below. Please review to ensure your PSU does not miss any deadlines.
Veteran’s Day is Wednesday, November 11th. The deadline for requesting cash is Monday, November 9 at 11:45 PM for a Funds Requirement Date (FRD) of Friday, November 13. Emergency cash requests on Tuesday, November 10 will be permitted.
Thanksgiving Week: The cutoff is Monday, November 23, at 5:00 PM. NO emergency cash requests will be processed. The FRD will be Wednesday, November 25. Please plan accordingly based on your district’s needs.
There should be more than one person subscribed to the PCA who can request cash. For cash inquiries, please contact CashMgt@dpi.nc.gov.
Reminder: Annual Audit Engagement Questionnaire - All PSUs
Several PSUs did not submit their response to the Auditor Questionnaire by the deadline and are now overdue. If your PSU hasn't completed the survey, please do so as soon as possible.
This mandatory questionnaire verifies that each PSU has engaged, or is in the process of engaging, an independent certified public accountant for the annual financial audit covering the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, per state financial oversight requirements and audit timelines. All PSUs are required to submit, with the exception of new Charter Schools opening in the 2026-27 school year.
If you need additional information, please contact the Monitoring and Compliance team
at Monitoring@dpi.nc.gov.
Deadline Reminders
ALL PSUs
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DUE DATE
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TOPIC
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NEWSLETTER
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10/30/2026
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Prior Year Refunds - October Processing |
10/01/2026
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10/30/2026
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SS-200 Full-Time Personnel Report |
09/17/2026
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10/31/2026
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School Nutrition Annual Financial Report (FC1-A) |
09/10/2026
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12/31/2026
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Expenditures for Ending Federal Grants |
08/20/2026
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Digital Learning and Charter Schools CONNECT
Dear Charter School Leaders and Educators,
We are excited to invite you to Digital Learning and Charter Schools CONNECT, a dedicated day of professional learning, state updates, and peer collaboration designed specifically for North Carolina public charter school digital leaders.
This event was built directly around the feedback, questions, and priority topics you have shared with your regional Digital Teaching and Learning consultants. Whether you are looking to build a sustainable digital accessibility plan, navigate upcoming state requirements, or CONNECT with peers across the state, this day is tailored to support your school’s second-semester success.
Event Details
- Date & Time: Friday, December 4, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM (Check-in begins at 8:00 AM)
- Location: NCDPI, Room 150 | 301 N. Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601
- Cost: Free
- Registration Deadline: Monday, November 16th
What to Expect
Throughout the day, participants will engage in interactive, practical sessions, including:
- Digital Accessibility Foundations & Planning: Explore WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines, practical strategies for creating accessible documents and presentations, and key steps for building a sustainable accessibility implementation plan.
- Digital Learning Dos and Dues: Gain clarity on required state deliverables—including AI Policy & Guidelines, NCDLMI, NCDLPR, and Emergency Remote Instruction Plans—with dedicated Q&A time to help map out your second-semester timeline.
- Crowd-Sourced Networking Sessions: Collaborate directly with other charter school leaders around the specific topics, challenges, and solutions you care about most.
Key Links & Registration
To view the complete schedule and breakdown of sessions, please review our detailed agenda before selecting the best staff members from your school to attend:
Please submit your registration by Monday, November 16th. Space in Room 150 is limited, so we encourage early registration. If multiple staff members from your school plan to attend, please ensure each individual submits a separate registration form.
We look forward to connecting with you in Raleigh for a productive and engaging day! If you have any questions prior to the event, please feel free to reach out to Jennifer Graham at Jennifer.graham@dpi.nc.gov! From the Center for Safer Schools
NOTE: To ensure that you receive communication from the Center for Safer Schools, please have your public school unit’s IT department whitelist both the cfssnc.gov domain and Constant Contact.
Life Changing Experiences
Please see the attached flyer and letter from Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley regarding our partnership with Life Changing Experiences. If you have questions, send an email to CFSS School Safety Strategic Coordinator John Van Arnam ( jvanarnam@cfssnc.gov). Thank you for supporting our efforts to end bullying and to create safer school climates.
Leading With Character Summit
December 9, 2026 | 9 am - 4 pm
The Friday Institute: 1890 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606
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Gain insight into the 11 Principles of Character Education and practical ways to apply them in your school.
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Be inspired by success stories from State and National Schools of Character and learn how they revitalized their school communities.
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Connect with experts and fellow school leaders to deepen your understanding of Character Education.
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Celebrating American Indian Heritage Month | November 2026
Dear Colleagues,
November is American Indian Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich history, cultures, and contributions of American Indian communities. As we recognize this month, I encourage you to explore opportunities to incorporate American Indian history, perspectives, and resources into your work.
Linked here, you will find a flyer featuring upcoming celebrations, professional learning opportunities, and educational resources to support your efforts, including:
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Teacher Discussion: Unpacking American Indian Heritage Month — October 28 (virtual)
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Native American Heritage Month Cultural Celebration — November 7 in Charlotte
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Native Expo — November 9 in Cumberland County
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31st Annual American Indian Heritage Month Celebration — November 20–21 in Raleigh, NC
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American Indian Education Summit — February 19
This also includes educator resources, such as the American Indian Heritage Month Toolkit, Book from the Nook, Native Financial Cents, NC Arts Council grants, and Native curriculum resources.
Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting American Indian students and helping all students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of American Indian histories, cultures, and contributions.
I encourage you to share these opportunities with colleagues and school communities who may be interested.
Warm regards,
Dr. Leslie A. Locklear
American Indian Education Director
leslie.locklear@dpi.nc.gov
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.
Other Resources from DPI and beyond
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Great Schools North Carolina is partnering with Modern Classrooms Project, a national education nonprofit, to share an opportunity for schools to pilot MCP's forthcoming Tier 1 middle school math curriculum, grounded in cognitive science. Pilots will be fully funded and take place during the 2027-28 school year.
Modern Classrooms Project recently announced this free Tier 1 math curriculum, with the middle school (grades 6-8) curriculum launching in summer 2027, and high school in summer 2028. All lessons and materials, teacher-facing and student-facing, will be publicly available online, printable, and modifiable. The curriculum is built around learning science principles: fluency, explicit instruction, practice, and continuous checks for mastery
If your school or network might be interested in the pilot, please fill out the short form at curriculum.modernclassrooms.org (click “Get involved”)
When your school needs a teacher, NCVPS has you CoverEd
Whether it’s long-standing vacancies or an unexpected staffing gap, our team can step in quickly to provide full instructional support with licensed North Carolina teachers.
Schools across the state already rely on NCVPS’s CoverEd to keep learning on track for entire classes. Our licensed teachers paired with our flexible, high-quality online courses are a seamless solution that minimizes disruption and maximizes student success. Connect with us whether you need whole-class or individual student enrollments. We’re ready to help, and we’ve got you CoverEd.
Open a ticket with our Virtual Support Center or contact us at ncvpsinfo@ncpublicschools.org to talk about how we can best serve your school or district.
Want to explore more ways we can support your school?
Visit our Building Your Partnership with NCVPS page to discover how we can extend your team’s capabilities, expand course offerings, and strengthen student outcomes.
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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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Join us to learn more about the NC GROW CSP grant and how it can support your school.
 
Charter School Job Postings
Job postings will include the posted date and will be removed after two months. Schools may request early removal or extension. Contact Joseph.Letterio@dpi.nc.gov with a posting link.
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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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