UNC
SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT
The Daily Bulletin: 2015-09-29
PUBLIC/HOUSE BILLS
H 15 (2015-2016) EDUC. SO F TWA R E/S WD TUITION (NEW). Filed Jan 28 2015, AN ACT TO CLARIFY THAT SOUTH
PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE MA Y EARN BUDGET FTE FOR CERTAIN STUDENT COURSE ENROLLMENTS AS
OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY STATUTE AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO USE
FUNDS TO ENTER INTO A STA TEWIDE COOPERA TIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT FOR OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY
SOFTWARE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO ADOPT RULES AND POLICIES LIMITING THE NONINSTR UCTIONAL DUTIES
OF TEACHERS, TO ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF PRINCIPAL PREPARA TION, TO AMEND THE PROCESS FOR TUITION
ENDORSEMENTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, AND TO
EXEMPT STUDENTS A T THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MA THEM A TICS AND THE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS FROM
PA YING FEES FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT EX4MS.
House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.
Amends the short and long titles.
Deletes all of the provisions of the previous edition and replaces it with the following.
Amends SL 2015-241 by adding new Section 8.49, which authorizes the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to use
appropriated funds for the 20 15-16 fiscal year and following fiscal years for the purposes of ( 1 ) a statewide purchasing
agreement for office productivity software for students, teachers, and other staff of NC public schools and (2) for the
provision of technical support and professional development involving the use of the software.
Amends Section 1 1.9 of SL 2015-241, conceming the competitive grant program for NC public schools, to establish the
Office of Principal Preparation (Office) within the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) for the purposes of
(1 ) the awarding competitive grants; (2) developing and overseeing the selection and on-going process, renewal, and
reporting components; (3) building a portfolio of approved technical assistance providers to grantees; and (4) working
with educational communities across North Carolina for the implementation of the specified programs. Sets out
provisions governing the Office director and staff, including specified administrative policies and infonnation. Provides
that the Office will issue an initial RFP with guidelines and criteria for the grants no later than January 1 , 20 1 6. Also
provides that by March 1, 2016, the Office must recommend to the Authority recipients of the grants.
Adds new section 1 1 .9(m) conceming the extension of deadlines for the competitive grant program, allowing extension
of the specified deadlines for good faith effort to meet the deadlines, given that the deadlines can only be extended by an
additional 30 days.
Sets out how the $500,000, beginning with the 2016-17 fiscal year, allocated to the Authority can be used, with ( 1 )
$475,000 used to hire the OiYicc director and staff and for operating expenses and (2) $25,000 used by the Authority for
administrative costs regarding the creating of the program.
Deletes all provisions previously found in this section which detailed the contracting by the Authority with a nonprofit
for administration for the competitive grant program. Makes confonning changes, deleting or updating references to
such a nonprofit.
Amends GS 1 1 5C- 1 1 2.6(b 1 )( 1 ), as enacted by Section 1 1 . 1 1 (a) of SL 20 1 5-24 1 , deleting language previously found in
subdivision ( 1 ) and adding new language concerning the process for tuition endorsements and reimbursements for
scholarships, requiring the Authority to disburse scholarship funds, for endorsement by a student's parent or guardian, at
