K-12 Education Legislative Update - Thursday, April 17, 2025

North Carolina Public Schools sent this bulletin at 04/17/2025 03:59 PM EDT

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Thursday, April 17, 2025

Highlights

NC Newsline - Galen Bacharier | April 17, 2025: NC budget passes Senate. House will now craft their own

Carolina Journal - Katherine Zehnder | April 11, 2025: USDA cuts funding to programs impacting local schools and farmers

K-12 Dive - Kara Arundel | April 14, 2025: Bills in Congress detail path to closing the Education Department

U.S. Department of Education - Press Release | April 17, 2025: U.S. Department of Education Releases Statement on 2026 NAEP Schedule - The Department will ensure that NAEP continues to provide invaluable data on learning across the U.S. The 2026 NAEP assessments in reading and math are on track for administration in January 2026.

NCDPI Press Releases

2025 Appropriations Act.

Senator Berger Press Shop | April 14, 2025: Senate Budget Proposal Prioritizes Critical Needs, Reins in Bureaucracy

Some top highlights of the budget include:

Funding to replenish the Rainy Day fund to $4.75 billion, putting it back to what it was prior to Hurricane Helene.

Setting aside $700 million for Hurricane Helene Recovery needs, plus $633 million in temporary and permanent repurposing of funds within the Department of Transportation to support recovery.

An across-the-board 1.25% pay increase in the first year of the biennium for most state employees, plus a $3,000 bonus over the biennium.

Teachers will receive an average 2.3% pay increase in FY 25–26 and an average increase of 3.3% over the biennium, plus a $3,000 bonus over the biennium.

On average, teachers will receive additional compensation of 8.9% over the biennium.

Initiating guaranteed tax relief for all North Carolinians by cutting the personal income tax rate to 3.49% in 2027 and 2.99% in 2028.

Adjusting the tax rate revenue triggers, with the goal of reaching a 1.99% personal income tax rate.

NC Department of Public Instruction - Financial and Business Services Budget Comparison

2025 Senate Budget - Principal Salary Schedule

State Board of Education

State Board of Education Planning & Work Session

Tuesday, April 29 – Thursday, May 1

Haywood County Schools
ITC Conference Room
161 Bryson Street
Waynesville, NC 28786

About the State Board of Education

YouTube recordings of SBE meetings HERE.

From The Superintendent

NC DPI - Mo Wants to Know

Superintendent Green held his final public listening and learning session on Wednesday, April 9 in the Northeast region. Thank you to all who were able to attend these regional sessions and provide valuable input to help shape the future of our public schools!

If you were not able to attend a session, you are welcome to provide feedback through the online form on the Mo Wants to Know website.

The Coastland Times - Philip S. Ruckle Jr. April 16, 2025: State superintendent wraps up ‘Mo Wants to Know’ tour in Elizabeth City, hears public instruction ideas

Duplin Times - Duplin County Schools | April 7, 2025: From Code to Cultivation: Superintendent Mo Green experiences STEAMA in motion

Mo Wants to Know Session with members and staff of the North Carolina General Assembly

L-R Rep. Phil Rubin (D-Wake), Rep. Dante Pittman (D-Wilson), and Kirk Kovach, Office of Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham, Randolph)

Celebrate the Good in Public Education

Southeast Regional Coalition for University-Assisted Community Schools

Full-service community schools champion both students and guardians by tackling issues such as hunger, health care deficiencies, and housing instability. While their primary focus is student success, the ripple effect benefits families and the entire community, paving the way for more resilient and thriving environments. This holistic approach solidifies the school's role as a cornerstone for community betterment.

Learn more about Community Schools here.

WUNC - Liz Schlemmer | April 16, 2025: A state-funded program helped this 19-year-old finish college - When Richie Basile was a junior at Panther Creek High School in Wake County, he learned that while he was still in high school, he could also take classes at his local community college, at no cost to him. The state would pay for the tuition, through the Career and College Promise program.

K-12 Education Bills

Bills in the News:

EdNC - Chantal Brown and Ben Humphries | April 14, 2025: A look at education bills filed so far this session at the General Assembly

NC Newsline - Brandon Kingdollar | April 16, 2025: NC House Education panel advances bill removing school library books with sexual content - House Bill 636 would require school districts to establish parent-teacher committees to determine which media should be removed from school libraries.

2025-2026 Biennium K-12 Education Bills Tracking Link

K-12 Education Bills to Watch

In addition to the bills scheduled to be heard in education committees next week, here are ten education bills to watch. For a complete list of education bills to watch, see the tracking link above.

	Bill	Short Title	Action Description
1.	HB 4	Sam's Law.	Re-ref to House Appropriations
2.	HB 106	Revive High-Need Retired Teachers Program.	Re-ref to House Appropriations
3.	HB 328	Ban Delta-8 & Delta-9 on School Grounds.	*Made Crossover*
4.	HB 373	UNC Tuition Discounts for Certain Students.	*Made Crossover*
5.	HB 378	Leon's Law (Dual Enrollment Info Parents).	*Made Crossover*
6.	HB 610	Study on Year-Round School.	*Made Crossover*
7.	HB 636	Promoting Wholesome Content for Students.	*Made Crossover*
8.	SB 257	2025 Appropriations Act.	*Made Crossover*
9.	SB 449	Fiscal Responsibility and K-20 Tech Planning.	*Made Crossover*
10.	SB 507	Auto Enrollment in Advanced ELA Courses.	*Made Crossover*

North Carolina General Assembly

Current Legislative Calendar

K-12 Education Legislation Resources

Enacted Hurricane Helene Recovery Legislation

HB 149 Disaster Recovery Act of 2024. | Bill Summary
SB 743 The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 - Part II. | Bill Summary | Committee Report
SB 382 Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes. | Bill Summary
HB 47 Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I.