2010 Legislative Agenda

Approved April 6, 2010
Priorities in bold

Globally Competitive Students

Provide personnel and funding to increase the on-time graduation rate of students through direct intervention programs at every school system. Funding
Increase the cap for students with disabilities to provide more resources to serve state-identified children. Funding
Increase the cap for students identified as academically and intellectually gifted to provide dedicated resources to this program. Funding

Support funding for child nutrition programs that support healthy children initiatives. Funding
Review and consider state initiatives and the recommendations of the 2009 Childhood Obesity Comission in addressing childhood obesity issues. Funding and Policy
Support existing rules and regulations on student participation in public school athletic programs established and administered by the State Board of Education and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Policy

Fund a Distance Learning Coordinator for high schools. Funding
Fund mentors for new principals. Funding
Fully fund mentors for all first- and second-year teachers to meet new standards. Funding

All state mandates for public schools, including new education programs, shall be fully funded prior to implementation. Funding
Continue to provide state funding for the following programs: Funding
- Yellow School Bus Tort Claims
- North Carolina Virtual Public School Courses
- School Construction Funding through Corporate Tax Collections
Eliminate the 2009 State Local Education Agency Adjustment. Funding
Retain state sovereign and government immunity laws. Policy
Maintain state's ban on collective bargaining. Policy
Raise the cap on charter schools. Policy
Clarify unemployment compensation laws regarding substitute teachers' eligibility for unemployment benefits for days they do not substitute. Policy
Restore per-pupil state funding to 2008-2009 levels including the increase in the student population for 2010-2011. Funding
Maintain flexibility with state funds to allow transfers between funding categories without restrictions. Policy

Comply with the North Carolina court ruling to pay fines and forfeiture funds to public schools without supplanting other public school funds. Funding
Provide increased authority and flexibility to local boards of education in school calendar legislation. Policy
Oppose taxing authority for local boards of education. Policy
Address the loss of Federal Education Stabilization Funds for public schools totaling more than $373 million (2010-2011) statewide that will occur with the 2011-2012 state budget. Funding