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December 20, 2025

[1]www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org
[2]Facebook [3]Instagram [4]YouTube [5]LinkedIn [6]TikTok

Public Ed. Still Not Funded: What Legislation Did Pass?

As the year ends with no 2025-26 budget in place and months of little
legislative action, we’re left to wonder what education-related legislation
did pass into law this year. The list is fairly short.

HB 231 “[7]Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact" makes North Carolina a
member of a mulit-state compact that facilitates social work licensure
across state lines. The bill makes it easier for social workers licensed in
a compact-partner state to practice in North Carolina. North Carolina has a
huge shortage of school social workers, with a social worker - student
ratio of 1:920, far higher than the 1:250 national recommendation.
Hopefully this bill will reduce shortages. Note - in 2013 lawmakers passed
legislation to stop paying social workers on the master’s pay scale even
when they have a master’s degree (commonly required for employment). A bill
to reinstate master’s pay (HB 523 "[8]School Social Workers/Master's Pay")
was introduced this year but did not make it through the House, leaving the
state’s public schools at a huge disadvantage in attracting and retaining
social workers.

HB 193 (S.L. 2025-81), "[9]Firearms Law Revisions" allows volunteers or
employees to carry a concealed handgun at a private school or church if
authorized by an administrator as described in the law. Governor Stein
[10]vetoed the legislation, stating that the well-trained law enforcement
personnel and school resource officers should be the only people allowed to
carry firearms in schools. His veto was overridden by both the House and
Senate.

SB 429 "[11]2025 Public Safety Law" makes it a Class H felony to knowingly
expose someone under age 16 to a controlled substance or analogue (e.g.,
marijuana, narcotic, opiate, opioid) except when the person is prescribed
the substance by a licensed medical professional.

HB 805 (S.L. 2025-84) "[12]Prevent Exploitation/Women and Minors" started
out focusing only on protections for women and minors by requiring
adult-content websites to verify users are 18 or older and requiring
written consent from all people in the images. It received strong
bipartisan (and the Governor’s) support until provisions defining
biological sex and other culture war elements were added. [13]Governor
Stein's veto was overridden by the House and Senate.

See the [14]full list of laws with effective dates July 1, 2025 through
January 1, 2026.

Governor Stein vetoed four more education-related bills that had been
ratified by the House and Senate. These bills will not become law unless
both the House and Senate override his veto.
* HB 87 “Educational Choice for Children Act” (Federal Voucher Program)
* SB 50 Freedom to Carry NC (removes restrictions on purchasing handguns
and lowers purchase age to 18)
* SB 227 Eliminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Public Education
* SB 558 Eliminating Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Public Higher
Education

[15]See summaries of all ratified legislation. In North Carolina, a
"ratified" bill is one that has passed both the House and Senate in
identical form and been signed by both the Speaker of the House & President
Pro Tempore of the Senate. After ratification, the bill is then sent to the
Governor. If the Governor does not sign (or veto) the bill within 10 days,
the bill becomes law without their signature. If the bill is signed by the
Governor, or if the Governor takes no action (during session), or if a
Governor’s veto is overridden, it becomes law. After becoming law, it's
called an "enrolled act" or "Session Law".

There were too many terrific bills introduced and left languishing to
include in a newsletter, but one stands out because it would address so
many challenges faced by North Carolina’s public schools. House Bill 420
"[16]Sound Basic Education for Every Child" adopts recommendations from the
Leandro Comprehensive Remedial plan. It introduces policy changes with
funding requirements that would help bring the state to a level of support
for public schools that would comply with the requirements of our state
constitution and multiple rulings by the North Carolina Supreme Court.

The failure of our legislative leaders to comply with the 2022 North
Carolina Supreme Court ruling to fund provisions of the Leandro
Comprehensive Remedial Plan is a stain on the state.

Stop NC Tax Cuts for Corporations and the Wealthy!

from the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center

North Carolina is nearing a fiscal breaking point, raising the stakes of
the NC General Assembly’s lack of budget action and decisions about taxes
higher than ever.

Yet Senate leaders and budget writers, in particular, continue to pursue
tax breaks that primarily benefit corporations and the wealthiest in our
state, even amid an affordability crisis. This year, they have held up the
state budget to push through additional tax cuts for the richest 1 percent.
Since 2013, tax cuts primarily benefiting corporations and the wealthy have
left our state with $18 billion less each year to fund people’s priorities.

We need you to help send a message to the NC Senate that they must return
to Raleigh and stop the tax cuts scheduled for Jan. 1 that will mean $1
billion less in public money for North Carolina.

Senator Berger (919) 733-5708 [email protected] Twitter: @SenatorBerger
Facebook: [17][link removed]

Senator Hise (919) 733-3460 [email protected] Twitter: @ralphhise
Facebook: [18][link removed]

Senator Jackson (919) 733-5705 [email protected] Twitter:
@SenBrentJackson Facebook:
[19][link removed]

Senator Lee (919) 715-2525 [email protected]: @LeeForNC
Facebook: [20][link removed]

[21]Read more from the Budget & Tax Center

Our Forever Governor

We join all North Carolinians in offering our condolences to Governor James
B. Hunt's family as we mourn the passing of Governor Hunt. He served
four-terms as Governor of NC and was recognized widely as the nation's
first "Education Governor." Governor Hunt was one of our biggest fans,
always sending us words of support for our advocacy on the behalf of public
school educators!

Here is an [22]interview with Governor Hunt from 10 years ago. He inspired
us then and guides our public education advocacy work today.

[23]video

Legislature Update

Very little happened at the North Carolina General Assembly this week
despite lawmakers' failure to pass a state budget. There were a few
committee meetings. This clip from the House calendar for Thursday sums up
the week.

Last week on Dec. 10, the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform
met to question leaders of Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools on whether they are
complying with the "Parents Bill of Rights" law. District leaders affirmed
that the district was following the law, but that hasn't kept lawmakers
from [24]sending the district a list of questions about bathroom policy,
student name changes, etc. they must answer by Dec. 23. Lawmakers are also
requiring monthly updates on how the district is complying with the law.

It is telling that lawmakers are prioritizing culture war issues over doing
the hard work of actually negotiating and passing a budget. North Carolina
needs a change!

Join Us in Raleigh on Second Wednesdays!

Join Public Schools First NC and other public education supporters at the
legislature in downtown Raleigh on the second Wednesday each month until
the legislative short session starts in April.

We will meet in front of the State Legislative Building to advocate for
public schools!

11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

State Legislative Building at 140 E Jones Street, Raleigh
* January 14
* February 11
* March 11
* April 8

Fill out this [25]Google Form to let us know you're coming!

Federal Voucher Program Comments Due by Dec. 26

If you've had trouble accessing the comment portal for the federal voucher
program you're not alone.

Here is the direct link. [26]Click on Comment.

Here is the link to the [27]request for comments with specific areas where
comments are requested.

Even if you don’t have a specific recommendation, it is still worthwhile to
express your concerns about the federal voucher program and vouchers as a
whole. The more people object to the vouchers, the more likely officials
are to delay implementing them. Cite specific examples if you have them.

Here is a [28]template you can use for your comments provided by Public
Funds Public Schools (customize it for more impact).

This is an important opportunity to let the federal government know that
federal vouchers are a terrible idea!

More information on federal vouchers: [29]The Federal Tax Credit Voucher
Program: A Landscape of Risks for Public Schools and Students

In Case You Missed It

[30]Lack of 'Leandro' school funding decision prompts frustration among
advocates

[31]North Carolina near bottom in teacher pay growth and per-student
funding

[32]NC Charter School Monroe Charter Academy ordered to close immediately

[33]Disparities in health care predicted to worsen as ACA health insurance
subsidies end

[34]Take note, Gov. Polis: Coloradans have repeatedly said no to school
vouchers

Check Out Our Advocacy Toolkits

Public Schools First NC has just released a new advocacy toolkit! Click
through the slide deck to find information and tips on how to be an
effective K-12 public education advocate. The toolkit is divided into three
sections: Learn the Facts, Engage & Take Action, and Connect & Share. Each
walk you through key steps on the advocacy journey.

Below the slide deck are two topic-specific toolkits:
* Private School Voucher Toolkit
* Stop the Attacks on Students with Disabilities Toolkit

[35]Explore the Toolkits

NC Private School Vouchers Help Fuel Resegregation

By Amy Cockerham

Public schools are grappling with the negative effects of increasing
segregation, and North Carolina’s expanded private school vouchers only
aggravate the issue.

Dr. Corina De La Torre is the Manager of [36]Policy, Research, and
Community Engagement at the Center for Racial Equity in Education (CREED).
A [37]dissertation she published this year found evidence that North
Carolina’s public education system is resegregating, so that schools are
increasingly dominated by students of one race.

De La Torre’s research shows from 2002 to 2022, in urban areas the share of
intensely segregated schools rose substantially in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
(16% to 46%), Durham County (24% to 48%), and Guilford County (14% to 33%).

[38]Read More

Did You Know?

The percentage of Black students using vouchers for private school
enrollment has dropped from 51% in 2024-25 to just 11% in 2024-25.

During the same time, the percentage of White students using vouchers
increased from 27% to 73%.

[39]See the data.

Mark Your Calendar!

Multiple Dates, 7:00-8:30 pm: Resilience and ACES. Learn about Adverse
Childhood Experiences (ACES) and resilience. Join us for this
award-winning, 60-minute film, Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The
Science of Hope. This documentary examines how abuse, neglect, and other
adverse childhood experiences affect children’s development & health
outcomes in adulthood. This powerful movie is a conversation starter and a
perspective changer.

[40]REGISTER HERE

All screenings are on Thursday and include time for discussion. Invite a
friend and contact us about setting up a private screening for your school
staff, PTA, civic group, church, or synagogue.
* January 22, 2026
* February 26, 2026
* March 26, 2026

Words to Remember

“Education is the great equalizer. It’s the ticket to opportunity for every
child, regardless of their circumstances.”

— Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.

"When you push out the kids with disabilities. When you push out the kids
with low scores. When you choose your students. This is not school choice
for parents or children. It's school choice for schools."

— Diane Ravitch, PSFNC Webinar on An Education: How I Changed My Mind About
Schools and Almost Everything Else

Help us support public schools!

Public Schools First NC is a statewide nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit
focused solely

on pre-K to 12 public education issues. We collaborate with parents,
teachers, business and civic leaders, and communities across North Carolina
to advocate for one unified system of public education that prepares each
child for productive citizenship.

[41]DONATE HERE

[42]www.publicschoolsfirstnc.org

Questions? Contact us today at [email protected]

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