New from EdNC
The Editor’s Notes
Here is the language sent to DPI on Monday by the U.S. Department of Education on the federal funding that is being withheld: “Given the change in Administrations, the Department is reviewing the FY 2025 funding for the [Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, IV-B] grant program(s), and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year. Accordingly, the Department will not be issuing Grant Award Notifications obligating funds for these programs on July 1 prior to completing that review. The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.”
Title III, Part A: English Learners (in NC: $19,338,744)
Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment (in NC: $37,245,499)
Title IV, Part B: 21st Century Before and After-School Programs (in NC: $35,719,614)
Gov. Stein vetoed Senate Bill 254 on charter schools, saying “Senate Bill 254 is an unconstitutional infringement on the authority of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Additionally, it weakens accountability of charter schools when every North Carolina student deserves excellent public schools, whether traditional or charter.”
Superintendent Mo Green and Chair of the State Board Eric Davis issued this letter, supporting the veto, explaining their commitment to charter schools, and saying the bill would increase “fragmentation, confusion, loss of accountability, and diminished public trust.”
“Starting this summer,” the letter says, “charter leaders are attending district superintendents’ meetings and vice versa to further strengthen those relationships.” The Superintendent’s draft strategic plan, the letter says, includes creating a cross-sector Innovation Leadership Council (including charter leaders, public school district leaders, lab school leaders, and NC Department of Public Instruction staff) to guide knowledge transfer and scale-up promising innovative efforts.
Dave Machado, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools, issued the following statement:
“The legislature rightly placed at the front line of charter school regulation and oversight a body of public charter school experts insulated from political maneuverings that have hamstrung the charter school sector in other states. The Constitution clearly authorizes the legislature to do this. The operative words are literally, ‘subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly.’” Stay tuned.
Need to know
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the 2025-26 federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for children enrolled in North Carolina’s schools
This press release includes some of the most common questions and answers about free and reduced priced meals.... Read the rest
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Governor Stein Kicks Off Annual School Supply Drive with SECU to Deliver Supplies to North Carolina Schools
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The Senate Passed a Federal Voucher Program. What’s in It?
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U.S. Department of Education Concludes Negotiated Rulemaking Session to Restore Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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Schools Serving Undocumented Kids Go Underground
