May 21, 2020

For more updates on COVID-19 actions and resources affectingpublic education, click the image to the left.click the image to the left.

REGISTER NOW FOR OUR NEXT WEBINAR

June 2, 9-10 A.M.NCASA presents our third installment in ourLegislative Policy and Advocacy Webinar Series.This event features three special educationexperts:

Rachel HitchRachel Hitch - partner in the Raleigh-basededucation law firm of Schwartz & Shaw,, and oneof the state’s leading attorneys in specialeducation law.

Julie VarnamJulie Varnam - Asst. Superintendent for StudentSupport Services, New Hanover County Schools,and President for the NC Council ofAdministrators of Special Education (NCCASE).

Christy Grant Christy Grant - Director of Exceptional Childrenfor Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, and President-Elect for the NCCASE.

REGISTER TODAY!REGISTER TODAY!

Short Session Education Bills UpdateShort Session Education Bills UpdateElizabeth Yelverton | NCASA Legal Affairs &

Policy Manager

IN THIS EDITIONNC Board of EducationNC Board of EducationApproves Remote LearningApproves Remote LearningPlan Guidelines, LicensurePlan Guidelines, LicensurePolicy Revisions, ReliefPolicy Revisions, ReliefFunding ChangesFunding Changes

U.S. House IntroducesU.S. House IntroducesHEROES Act In ResponseHEROES Act In ResponseTo COVID PandemicTo COVID Pandemic

While many expected COVID-19 relief to bethe biggest, if not only, topic to be tackled bylegislators during this legislative short session,legislators have continued to file numerouseducation-related policy bills sincereconvening on April 28. Legislators weregiven until last Thursday at 4PM to file mostbills with a statewide impact; however,legislative leadership voted to extend the Mayextend the May1919thth deadline deadline for filing bills “affecting the Statebudget, including the budget of anoccupational licensing board for FY 2020-21,”until Tuesday, May 26.

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Expecting SchoolExpecting SchoolTo Reopen Like Normal NextTo Reopen Like Normal NextYear? Don’t.Year? Don’t.

Average NC Teacher SalaryAverage NC Teacher SalaryNow More Than $54,000,Now More Than $54,000,State Says. Some QuestionState Says. Some QuestionAccuracy.Accuracy.

State Health Plan CoronavirusState Health Plan CoronavirusUpdatesUpdates

Fund Balances: Do SchoolFund Balances: Do SchoolDistricts Have Enough InDistricts Have Enough InSavings To Weather COVID-Savings To Weather COVID-19’s Perfect Storm?19’s Perfect Storm?

LEGISLATIVE & POLICY NEWS:State Board of Education Approves RemoteState Board of Education Approves RemoteLearning Plan Guidelines,Learning Plan Guidelines,Licensure Policy Revisions,Licensure Policy Revisions,Relief Funding ChangesRelief Funding ChangesElizabeth Yelverton |NCASA Legal Affairs & Policy Manager

The State Board of Education met this morning toaddress new COVID-19 issues, such as remote learning plans and school nutrition funds, whilealso approving modifications to ongoing COVID-19 issues, such as licensure requirements andbenefits policies. To review the highlight's from today's meeting, click on the "READ MORE"button below.

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U.S. House Introduces HEROES ActU.S. House Introduces HEROES ActIn Response To COVID PandemicIn Response To COVID PandemicAASA: The Superintendents Association

On May 15, 2020, Secretary of Agriculture SonnyPerdue announced that the U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA) would extend three nationwidewaivers, thereby granting school districts the flexibility to

continue feeding children while promoting social distancing and keeping families safe during theCOVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, USDA's latest announcement will extend the waivers listed belowthrough August 31, 2020.

1. Non-Congregate Feeding: USDA's Food Nutritional Service (FNS) is allowing meals to beserved to children outside of the normally-required group setting to support social distancing.

2. Parent Pickup: FNS is allowing parents and/or guardians to pick up meals and bring themhome to their children.

3. Meal Times: FNS is waiving requirements that meals be served at certain standard times to

allow for grab-n-go options. This also allows for multiple days-worth of meals to be provided atonce.

Also noteworthy for superintendents, USDA is rapidly working to approve states for the Pandemic-Pandemic-EBT programEBT program, which provides food-purchasing benefits, equal to the value of school meals, tohouseholds with children who would otherwise be receiving free or reduced-price meals at school.

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Expecting School To Reopen Like Normal NextExpecting School To Reopen Like Normal NextYear? Don’t.Year? Don’t.Alex Granados | EdNC

“I will be blunt. Since the start of our switch to remote learningin March, I have held the belief that we are going to need toutilize remote learning next school year as well in some form orfashion.” That’s what state Superintendent of Public InstructionMark Johnson said in an email to members and advisors of a a

task force task force looking at how to safely reopen schools amid COVID-19. The email from Johnson to theSchools Reopening Task Force contains a number of documents, including a Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC) “decision tree” that has stark consequences for the likelihood ofschools returning to normal in the fall.

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Average NC Teacher Salary Now More ThanAverage NC Teacher Salary Now More Than$54,000, State Says. Some Question Accuracy.$54,000, State Says. Some Question Accuracy.T. Keung Hui | Raleigh-News & Observer

North Carolina’s average teacher salary is now more than$54,000 and is the second-highest in the Southeast, accordingto a new state report. New figures from the state Department ofNew figures from the state Department ofPublic InstructionPublic Instruction estimate the average salary this school yearfor teachers to be $54,682 — $742 more than last year. North

Carolina also moved up to two spots from being fourth in average salaries last year in the Southeast.Now among Southeast states, only Georgia is higher at $57,137.

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State Health Plan Coronavirus UpdatesState Health Plan Coronavirus UpdatesOffice of NC Treasurer

We’ve created a special Coronavirus Updates page on theState Health Plan website at www.shpnc.orgwww.shpnc.org. Pleasefamiliarize yourself with these benefits, which include freeCOVID-19 testing and treatment, coverage of tele-healthprovider visits where offered and other items.As a reminder,the Plan is waiving:

The costs for the COVID-19 test regardless of site of service (where you receive the test, in-person or virtual) to ensure there are no cost barriers to testing. Screening visits will not besubject to your deductible or coinsurance, even if your deductible has not been met.The cost of treatment for members diagnosed with COVID-19, including associated

deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.The early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription for maintenance medications only.Member cost-sharing will apply as normal.

Additionally, many providers are now offering tele-health or virtual visits. These types of visits arecovered under your Plan benefits. The applicable copay for a Primary Care Provider (PCP) office visitwill apply.

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MEMBER RESOURCES:1100+ Superintendents And Educators1100+ Superintendents And EducatorsSign Homework Gap LetterSign Homework Gap LetterAASA: School Superintendents’ Association

AASA drafted a letter signed by more than 1,100 superintendents and educators from across thecountry calling on Congress to address the homework gap. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone abright light on one of the worst kept secret inequities for today’s students: the homework gap. Thepandemic forced more than 55 million students into a remote learning reality, resulting in an almostimmediate struggle to ensure students can access online learning. It is anticipated that 12 millionstudents across the nation lack internet access adequate to support online learning. AASA penned aletter that was signed by more than 1,100 superintendents and educators from 49 states and sent toCongress. In the letter, signees call on Congress to take immediate action to support all studentsdisplaced from their classrooms. The letter remains open for additional signaturesletter remains open for additional signatures and the copy linkedin this blog will be updated as needed to reflect the growing levels of support. Read the full letter hereRead the full letter here.

Applications will be accepted thru June 9th June 9th anddates for this program have not yet been

identified. To apply, click below :

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PODCAST:PODCAST:

"Standing Tall Amidst the Storms""Standing Tall Amidst the Storms"Dr. Rob Jackson | EdLeader Podcast

In this episode of EdLeader, Dr. Jackson sits down withNorth Carolina State Board of Education Chairman Eric

Davis to discuss leadership and meeting the challenges ofthe coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Daviscompares teachers, principals, and superintendents withmighty lighthouses "standing tall and sending out abeacon of hope, and safety and security and care to eachone of our students."

LISTENLISTENHEREHERE

VIDEO:VIDEO:

Students Share Coronavirus Diaries: 'I'mStudents Share Coronavirus Diaries: 'I'mReally Missing School'Really Missing School'Sarah Schwartz| Education Week The coronavirus pandemic has reshaped the lives ofschool-aged children across the country. Some arekeeping a record of what it was like to live through it.In the early days of school shutdowns, a number ofteachers asked their students to start daily journals—writing down the specifics of their days at home andtheir feelings about this new reality.

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IN OTHER NEWS...Fund Balances: Do School Districts Have Enough In SavingsFund Balances: Do School Districts Have Enough In SavingsTo Weather COVID-19’s Perfect Storm?To Weather COVID-19’s Perfect Storm?Alex Granados & Molly Osborne| EdNC

Available fund balances at most North Carolina school districts are lower than they were in2013, according to the most recent data from the Local Government Commission (LGC)Local Government Commission (LGC). . Acombination of factors contributed to this trend, including: the lingering effects of the 2008financial crisis, a decline in population and increase in students attending charter schools, risingcosts of benefits, and less funding flexibility for school districts. Local variables particular toeach district also likely contributed. All of these factors have played a role in declining fundbalances and set up the perfect storm now that districts are facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Judge Said NC Schools Need More Money. But Berger Says COVID-19Judge Said NC Schools Need More Money. But Berger Says COVID-19May Limit That.May Limit That.T. Keung Hui | Raleigh-News & Observer

The coronavirus pandemic could become the latest obstacle to North Carolina’s efforts toprovide every student with their state constitutional right to a sound basic education.In January, Superior Court Judge David Lee signed a court order in the long-running Leandroschool funding case ordering state leaders to “work expeditiously and without delay to take allwork expeditiously and without delay to take allnecessary actionsnecessary actions” to improve the state’s education system.

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State Looking To Change Policy For Students WithState Looking To Change Policy For Students WithSpecific Learning DisabilitiesSpecific Learning DisabilitiesRupen R. Fofaria | EdNC

The policy for identifying and evaluating students for special services through the state’s specialeducation program may change when the State Board of Education meets on June 5. Thechanges are intended to address stakeholder concerns, but practitioners who help kids qualifyfor specialized services say it may not improve the identification of children with special needs.The draft policy addendum can be found herehere, and the public can comment on it by using thisusing thislinklink until May 29.

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