House and Senate leaders are expected to reach a budget deal this weekend and adjourn the long session by Wednesday or Thursday next week.

House Bill 250 Charter School Enrollment and Charter Provisions passed the General Assembly and is now on its way  to the Governor for consideration.  HB 250 allows charters to expand one grade per year without having to go before the Board of Education for permission.

Senate Bill 236 Counties Responsible for School Construction failed in the House Government Committee today and was referred to the House Rules Committee.

The House and Senate budget conferees continue to work on the state budget, but a compromise budget has yet to be agreed upon.  Though the state’s fiscal year began on July 1, the General Assembly adopted a continuing resolution that will keep the state government operating until July 31, 2013, when the continuing resolution expires.   If you have concerns about the proposed Senate and House state budgets, it is not too late to contact your state House representative and senator.   You can find information on your legislators via this link:  http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx The following resource from the North Carolina

The School Bus Safety Act has passed both the House and Senate.  This bill, House 428, increases the criminal penalties for drivers who pass stopped school buses.

The House and Senate have passed different versions of House Bill 250, a bill that addresses charter school enrollment priorities and growth.   The versions of the bill can be found via the following link:  http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2013&BillID=H250 The House appointed a conference committee to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 250.   The House conference committee members are Rep. Hardister, Rep. Brandon, Rep. Stam, and Rep. Lambeth.

The Governor’s press conference can be viewed via the following link:  http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/video/12636839/#/vid12636839

The North Carolina Senate passed a bill this week to give charter schools the ability to add additional grades without asking permission of the Board of Education.  This bill will now be considered by the House.  House Bill 250 provides that: It shall not be considered a material revision of a charter application and shall not require prior approval of the State Board for a charter school to do any of the following: (1)        Increase its enrollment during the charter school’s second year of operation and annually thereafter by up to twenty percent (20%) of the school’s previous year’s enrollment. (2)        Increase

Governor McCrory and Senior Education Advisor Erik Guckian recently set forth the following education pathways to the North Carolina Education Cabinet.  Here are the five specific pathways: Prosperity and Jobs for Graduates – The governor’s plan calls for more students earning associates and bachelor degrees from the state’s community colleges and universities. It also calls for an increase of students attaining more industry approved certificates and degrees. The governor also wants a commitment from businesses to hire more North Carolina graduates. A Rewarding Career for Teachers and Principals – This goal calls for innovative ways to significantly increase teacher salaries as well

Now that the Senate and House have passed their versions of the budget, the House and Senate conferees will meet to resolve the differences.  If you have concerns with either the House or Senate budget, please take a moment to contact your legislators.  You can find your legislators at the following link:  http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx