Agenda Item 3a - CHCCS and OCS Joint Legislative Strategy

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Ensuring Efficient Operations School Construction/Capital: Allow North Carolinians to vote on a significant statewide school bond and establish more local option sales taxes to help LEAS address the multi-billion-dollar backlog of school construction needs. LEA/Charter School Relations: Authorize county commissioners to transfer the appropriate per pupil tax dollars directly to charter schools,just like city LEAS receive their local funds. Currently, the county transfers the entire allotment to the LEA, then the LEA"writes a check"to each charter school. Revising the local distribution process ensures charter schools receive their fair share of local tax dollars on the same day as LEAS. Sales Tax Refund: Cities, counties, public universities, charter schools, and private schools currently receive a state sales tax refund. The State eliminated the ability for local boards of education to directly receive a state sales tax refund in 2005. The General Assembly should reinstate the state sales tax refund to bring local boards of education in-line with other government entities. Recruitinz and Retaining Top Talent Teacher Pay: In addition to ensuring the average base salary continues an upward trajectory, lawmakers should reinstate supplements for teachers who earn advanced degrees. Veteran teachers, who have received only one permanent pay increase in recent years, should receive special consideration during the biennium. Additionally, the General Assembly should consider a"team bonus." For instance, K-2 teachers provide the foundation for Yd grade reading teachers to receive a bonus, therefore, they too should get a piece of the pie. The same can be said for K-3 teachers when it comes to 4th grade math bonuses. Principal Pay: Principal pay is now based solely on the size and performance of the school. Years of experience as a principal (was formerly based on years as an educator) should also be a factor in the salary formula. A tenth-year principal will be more effective than a first-year principal. Additionally, the 2016-17 hold harmless clause for principals should be extended. School Finance Officer: School finance officers should be provided the same opportunity for dismissal procedures as all other employees and the same contractual terms as assistant and associate superintendents. This would provide the necessary whistle-blower protections when the unusual need arises. Accountability School Grades: Principal salaries and teacher bonuses are determined by student growth scores. Therefore, it only makes sense to use a similar method to determine a school's grade. Increasing the current weight of student growth from 20%will more accurately reflect the school's impact on increasing student achievement. Additionally, the General Assembly should make permanent the 15-point scale for A-F school grades. The system is scheduled to revert to a 10-point scale for the 2019-20 school year. Ethics Training for School Administrators: School administrators involved in the making or administration of contracts should be required to have at least two hours of ethics training upon such employment and in odd- numbered years thereafter.