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 virtual cooperative innovative high schools and small specialty schools that received funds during the 2024-2025 fiscal year will continue to receive funds (Section 2.8). The bill also authorized and provided funding for the operation of three new cooperative innovative high schools (Section 2.9). Click here for the H358 legislative summary. The bill now goes to Governor Stein for his approval.

Another budget-related bill H389: Continuing Budget Operations Part III included $35 million in non-recurring funds for School Safety Grants in 2025-2026. This measure was approved by the Senate chamber on Monday but wasn’t considered by the House. It is currently in House Rules.

Lawmakers also passed SJR 776, which adjusted the 2025-2026 legislative calendar as previously approved in SJR 772. Initially designating one day sessions per month until short session, the schedule was expanded to 4 potential days each month.
 
The next legislative session is October 20 - October 23. We are hearing that session is the best chance for a state budget. Continue to reach out to lawmakers about the need for a compromise budget that invests in public education. Action is more critical and time-sensitive than ever due to rising costs for State Health Plan premiums that take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
 
In addition to budget activity, there were two bills that impacted K-12 education as follows:
 
H926 – Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 - Advanced Teaching Roles (ATR) (Section 7): Permits the State Board of Education to authorize any ATR unit that received its final year of grant funding in the 2024-2025 school year to exceed the maximum class size requirements for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years; requires the Department of Public Instruction to create designations in the student information system for teachers serving in advanced teaching roles. Status: presented to Governor on 9/25.
 
H775: Criminal History Checks for School Positions - Requires all governing bodies of PSUs to adopt a policy requiring criminal history checks for all applicants to school personnel positions, either by a consumer reporting agency, the SBI, or both (also requires criminal history checks for initial members of charter school board of directors); expands the definition of misconduct by licensed school employees to include the intentional infliction of emotional distress against a child; requires law enforcement agencies to report allegations of certain misconduct to the local superintendent within 30 days; modifies the reporting requirements for threats and assaults on teachers. Click here for the Legislative Staff Summary. Status: Passed the House chamber and sent to the Senate on 9/24.