Heidi E. Austin

The session provided operational updates for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, focusing on grant submission deadlines for second and third installments and guidance on handling supplemental awards and budget amendments. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the administration of instructional staff surveys, detailing the requirements for collecting and reporting student engagement data in 21DC for different grade levels. Additionally, expectations for summer programming documentation and staff background check protocols were emphasized to ensure program compliance.

The meeting commenced with opening remarks and recognition of local superintendents and an award recipient, Miss Carl Worley, the Raleigh Dingman Award winner, followed by recognition of Mr. Darren Co for receiving the Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award. Committee reports covered numerous actions. The Student Learning and Achievement Committee reported on action items including the proposed K12 English Language Arts standards, a rule update on Limited English Proficiency Programs, and an update on Driver Education rules. Discussion also covered the report to the General Assembly on literacy plans, amendments to the Every Student Succeeds Act regarding Title III part A funds, and a report on statewide trends in digital learning access, highlighting concerns regarding device replacement funding. The Education, Innovation, and Charter Schools Committee reported on the Charter School Review Board's 2025 actions (approving six and denying six new charters) and upcoming 2026 reviews, noting high growth scores for one charter school. The Educator Standards and Practice Committee presented a report on the impact of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Participation Fee Grant Program. The Healthy Responsible Students Committee reported on amendments to rules and policy for interscholastic athletics. Finally, the Business Operations Committee presented for approval a contract for Qualtrics Survey software, which provides a secure platform for survey creation and analysis.

The meeting commenced with a moment of silence in memory of Superintendent Mark Bird of Wils County Schools. The Chair provided commentary on the importance of local educators and referenced a recent national survey indicating strong bipartisan alignment on core education priorities, such as hiring quality teachers and providing mental health support. The agenda for this day's discussion focused on the School Extension Learning Recovery Program (cellrep), established under House Bill 47 for students in grades 4 through 8 in western counties impacted by Hurricane Helen. The presentation covered statewide implementation and preliminary findings, noting participation from 13 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and four charters, with $8.865 million allocated. Preliminary quantitative data indicated that over 2,000 students participated, with higher enrollment in lower grades. Participants were more likely to be economically distressed, multilingual, or have a disability, suggesting the program successfully reached at-risk populations. Attendance averaged 71% of offered days. Preliminary assessment data suggested that over half of students showed some gain in math and reading percentile rankings (2.8 points in math, 2.5 in reading), which is notable given the typical summer decline. Qualitative findings highlighted stability provided to the community, supplementary income for teachers, increased student engagement due to smaller class sizes, and challenges related to flexible scheduling, curriculum alignment for middle grades, and transportation.

The meeting served as an introduction for the task force members regarding the complex and consequential work of developing a new accountability system. Key discussion points focused on the need for skepticism and thoughtful examination of accountability testing, questioning the concept of a 'typical child,' and addressing parental concerns regarding pressure and anxiety related to testing. The speakers emphasized shifting focus from compliance with existing federal law to defining a clear vision and theory of action for the accountability system that supports the 'whole child' and promotes public trust. The group was briefed on the process, which involves setting broad vision and guiding principles first, which will then inform subsequent working groups on specific indicators and measures.

The meeting of the Education, Innovation, and Charter Schools Committee was convened to hear an appeal by Cape View Leadership Academy regarding the Charter Schools Review Board's (CSRB) decision from December 8, 2025, to deny the academy a charter. The presenter detailed the North Carolina charter school application process, noting that the applicant planned to partner with South Schools as the Educational Management Organization (EMO). The evaluation highlighted significant deficiencies in the application concerning special education and disability services planning, including inadequate description of FAPE provision and unclear budgeting for these services. Further concerns were raised regarding the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program implementation, insufficient detail on the hybrid model, and a weak explanation of how the proposed CTE mission would improve upon Pender County's existing program. The financial plan also received a "does not meet standard" rating due to missing components and lack of clarity on financial safeguards from the EMO. The presenter refuted the appellant's claim that a 'separate' EMO interview was promised, emphasizing that only 'additional' time within the board's interview framework was offered as a courtesy, which is not a guaranteed procedural right.