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The legislative process for creating the state’s K-12 education budget began this week, as lawmakers held joint committee meetings outlining the budgetary process. Staff from the non-partisan Fiscal Research Division provided committee members with a budgetary overview during Tuesday’s joint Education Appropriations Committee meeting, and shared plans for joint appropriations meetings through the end of March.
The NC House approved two bills relating to digital learning this week, one which would create new LEA reporting requirements for K-12 computer science courses, and a separate bill requiring the State Board of Education to maintain a “digital learning dashboard” for public access. House Bill 78: Report on K-12 Computer Science Data and House Bill 79: Student Digital Learning Access were both unanimously passed by House legislators on Wednesday, and have been sent to the Senate for additional action, likely next week.
Governor Roy Cooper on Wednesday announced he will ease restrictions on attendance at high school and college sporting events while lifting the state’s modified stay-home order and adjusting the limits on bar operations and the current alcohol sales curfew. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans pushed forward Senate Bill 116 that would increase the attendance capacity at outdoor sporting events for public and nonpublic high schools even if the Governor orders lower limits for spectators the remainder of this school year.
Members of the NC House unanimously voted 120-0 on Wednesday to approve a bill requiring all school districts to offer in-person learning opportunities this summer. House Bill 82: Summer Learning Choice for NC Families was amended several times earlier in the week in both the House K-12 Education Committee and House Pensions Committee to incorporate some changes recommended by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) and other groups before being amended a final time on the House floor.
NCASA recently approved legislative and education policy priorities to support the organization's 7,000 members on the attached initiatives critical for the success of our school leaders and the 1.4 million students you serve. NCASA will continue to work with our state General Assembly, Governor, State Board of Education, and other policymakers to make these initiatives a reality for educators and school leaders across the state. We need your help in sharing these same goals and objectives with your local House and Senate delegation and seek their support in moving them forward in the legislative session that begins Jan. 13.
