Parts of the federal government — including the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) — could shut down again this weekend.
The U.S. House approved a bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill last Thursday (Jan. 22) , which included DOE funding. The U.S. Senate appeared to be on track to do the same this week.
Partial Federal Shutdown Approaches As U.S. Senate Considers Agency Spending Bill Read More »
On Tuesday (Jan. 20), Congress released a bipartisan, bicameral Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding package. The U.S. House of Representatives is debating the bill today before the Senate considers the proposal next week.
Congress is back to work on Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget negotiations and it’s critical North Carolina members of Congress hear from school leaders about the importance of federal funding for the public schools in their districts.
North Carolina lawmakers returned to session this week but were unable to agree on a comprehensive two-year state budget or make any significant investments in K-12 education. Lawmakers were able to approve H358: Continuing Budget Operations Part II that included investments in disaster relief, economic development and construction projects. H358 contained K-12 provisions that clarified
Lawmakers Return To Raleigh But Fall Short On K-12 Action Read More »
Over 350 school leaders attended NCASA’s 2025 School Law and Policy Symposium (SLPS) this week in Raleigh. Participants enjoyed a wide range of hot topics delivered by a stellar team of legal and policy experts.
School Leaders Convene In Raleigh For School Law And Policy Symposium Read More »
With year-round schools already open and others starting the new year this month, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has issued guidance recently on compliance with new K-12 laws and the impacts of ongoing state budget negotiations.
In the absence of a full state budget for the 2025-27 biennium, lawmakers this week approved a “mini budget” outlining funding, cuts, and directives that Republican leaders in both chambers have agreed need to move forward now.
Lawmakers Send Governor Mini BudgetWith K-12 Funds, Cuts And Mandates Read More »
The legislature will recess without having passed a comprehensive budget before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Both chambers passed stop-gap measures intended to fund some basic elements of the budget such as student enrollment growth. The Senate version H125: Continuing Budget Operations passed the Senate chamber on Tuesday. The H125 legislative staff
Legislature Recesses Without Passing Budget or Stop Gap Measures Read More »
With the start of a new biennium at the North Carolina legislature comes the development of a new state budget. This week, the Joint House and Senate Education Appropriations Committee met three times to begin discussions on education funding. The main focus of Tuesday and Wednesday’s meetings was a series of presentations from the Fiscal
Joint House And Senate Education Appropriations Begin Budget Process Read More »
Members of the North Carolina General Assembly unanimously approved on Thursday afternoon a bill providing $604.15 million in additional relief funding, with $65 million allocated to public K-12 schools as part of the second round of state legislative actions taken in response to Hurricane Helene and other recent natural disasters. The revised version of Senate
NC Lawmakers Unanimously Approve Second Round Of Hurricane Helene Relief Read More »
NC Governor Roy Cooper signed into law on Monday several bills passed by lawmakers in the final days of June, including a bill authorizing school personnel pay increases and other technical changes to the 2023 state budget previously passed by legislators. Senate Bill 332, 2023 Appropriations Act Changes, not only authorizes average raises for teachers (and
School Personnel Pay Raises, Other Budget Technical Changes Become Law Read More »
State lawmakers this week quickly passed a 60-page bill that includes various “technical corrections” to the 2023 state budget passed in October, including several changes related to public education. While many of these provisions are limited to certain districts, a few of the changes will affect all public school districts, including a clarification that allows for parental opt-out of student participation in the North Carolina Youth Tobacco Survey, a requirement that high school students complete the required Career Development Plan within 90 days of enrollment (beginning with the 2024-2025 school year), and more.
General Assembly Passes Budget Technical Corrections Bill Read More »