24-25 Legislative Priorities
- Advocate for \Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) coordinators - target focus on pre-k and elementary
- The MTSS Framework for districts and schools focuses on academics and behavior from pre-k through grade twelve.
- MTSS employs a systems approach using data-driven problem-solving to maximize growth for all students.
- MTSS is a school improvement framework that encompasses academic, behavioral, social, and emotional instruction and support.
- The Department of Public Instruction believes that NC MTSS is one of the most effective and efficient approaches to promote educational equity and improve district, school, and student outcomes.
- Every NC Pre K - 12 public education system implements and sustains all components of a Multi-Tiered System of Support.
- MTSS Coordinators are needed in each school to create school-wide frameworks, facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the MTSS model of support required by the state. This coordinator will ensure all schools maintain compliance with the MTSS process. In addition, they will provide professional development, coaching, technical assistance, and resources.
○ Through the MTSS Coordinator’s effort to build collective efficacy across all staff members with academics and behaviors, learning environments become safer, thus more conducive to learning, allowing for increased student achievement. Through the data-driven leadership and coordination of an MTSS coordinator, teacher efficacy will expand in diagnosing student learning difficulties, and with effective ways in which to help all students obtain academic success.
● Prek
○ Universal Preschool is the foundation for economic development, crime prevention, brain development, and national security. See link for First 2000 Days from NC Early Childhood Foundation (from Julie)
● Join WHBA in advocating support for a Be Pro Be Proud Truck for the southeastern region
● Advocate to be one of each support non-instructional allotments
○ Currently to receive one 10 month Assistant Principal (State funded) the school must have at least 985.3 students no matter the school level. Recommend at a minimum to increase the allotment to two 10 month Assistant Principals at secondary schools with 985 students[1] .???
○ Currently for a school to receive one full time 10 month School Health Personnel the school must have at least 436.59 students. School Health Personnel include school psychologists, school counselors, school nurses and school social workers.
○ Currently to receive one instructional support position the school must have at least 417.12 students. Instructional support positions include counselors, social workers, media specialists, etc.
○ All teachers with 15-24 years of experience with the same education level receive the same annual salary.
○ Teaching is a demanding profession, and many educators face significant stress as they advance in their careers. Providing incremental salary increases recognizes their dedication and helps alleviate burnout.
○ Addressing this gap makes the teaching profession more attractive and shows commitment to rewarding long-term career development within our state’s education system. It may also limit the number of teachers leaving the profession due to the minimal increase during this timeframe.
● Increased lottery funding for school renovation and repair
○ 35% of NC Education Lottery Revenue is distributed for Educational Purposes
○ The amount distributed for Educational Purposes currently provides funds for Pre-k, School Staff for class size, School Construction, Needs-Based School Construction, Scholarships and grants, and School Transportation.
○ School construction is allocated 48[3] % of the revenue for Educational Purposes (or 14% of gross lottery revenue), but that includes Needs-Based School Construction that NHCS is not eligible for.
○ Increase the percentage for School Construction or combine School Construction and Needs-Based School Construction so that all school systems are eligible. Low Wealth PSU could have a lower required match.
● Increase CEP meal incentive program
○ We currently have 30 schools that are CEP.
○ CEP eligibility is determined based on a percentage of identified students (direct certification) times a multiplier.
○ The multiplier is currently 1.6.
○ If the multiplier was increased to 2.5 all schools in our district would be CEP.
○ Another option would be for all LEA’s to have free meals and the State to make up the difference.
○ Model provides funds based on the service level required for the student instead of distributing state dollars at a fixed per-student rate. This funding model will allow NHCS to better serve students based on their unique needs.
○ EC Weighted funding model uses intensity of service (course of study) levels to provide funding for staffing ratios. Level 1 - Less EC Services to Level III - More EC Services
○ Use statewide average salaries and benefits to update funding annually
● Support of funding in the ARREARS for annual funding model
○ The reserve would provide additional funding during the year for PSU with ADM increases higher than initial allocations provided in the funding in arrears model.
○ The State allocated $994,000 for planning of a new building for IBEC on the campus of UNCW.
○ UNCW and NHCS completed the planning and advanced planning was approved by the State Construction Office.
○ The cost estimate for the total project is $45 million
○ Funding for the construction of the building is needed.
○ Better alignment with college and AP schedules
○ Allow for a comparable number of instructional days in 1st and 2nd semester and allow students to take exams prior to Christmas Holidays
● Capital Facility Plan for the next 3 years[6]
○ We need a state-wide public school bond. The last bond was in 1996, and NHCS received approximately $20 million
