Public Ed Works
@publicedworks.bsky.social
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Public Ed Works is a nonpartisan organization that builds support for public education in North Carolina
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publicedworks.bsky.social
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools say the federal shutdown has little current impact, with key programs like school lunches funded for now. Officials urge caution if the shutdown continues or policies shift under the current administration. #NCed
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools says minimal impact from government shutdown
The federal government’s shutdown threatens far-reaching impacts on everything from air traffic control to national parks. But Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials say the impact on schools is mini...
www.wfae.org
publicedworks.bsky.social
UNC System enrollment is up due to more high school grads, low in-state tuition, no test score requirement, and programs that make college easier to access. Strong retention and growing trust in public colleges also help boost numbers. #NCed
Why is enrollment booming across UNC System schools?
More 18-year-olds, friendly in-state tuition practices, testing flexibility and data for good ROI helping boost UNC System enrollment.
carolinapublicpress.org
publicedworks.bsky.social
UNC placed Professor Dwayne Dixon on leave after a resurfaced 2018 video showed him loading and firing a rifle while discussing “confrontation.” A threat review found no danger and he was reinstated, raising faculty concerns over due process and timing. #NCed
Years-old video prompted UNC professor’s suspension, chancellor tells faculty
Read more about Chancellor Lee Roberts’ remarks, and faculty’s response, in The N&O’s higher ed newsletter.
www.newsobserver.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
A new NC law requiring teachers to catalog all classroom books is leading some to scale back or shut down their libraries. The law burdens educators and limits student access, but supporters claim it's about transparency and "protecting values." #NCed
New NC law means teachers are providing fewer books for their students to read
The new state requirement that teachers catalog the names of all the books in their classroom is drawing complaints from educators.
www.newsobserver.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
UNCW now mandates 24-hour reservations to paint its spirit rocks after controversy over a Charlie Kirk tribute. The policy, starting Oct. 6, is framed as supporting free expression, though some see it as a response to growing campus tensions. #NCed
UNCW mandates 24-hour reservations for spirit rock | Port City Daily
WILMINGTON — UNCW is extending its space reservation system to its spirit rocks next week after a conflict over the rock being painted with the late Charlie Kirk’s image last month. READ MORE: UNCW…
portcitydaily.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
A federal shutdown is pausing $17M in Impact Aid for NC schools serving students on federal property, such as military bases. Most other education funds remain stable for now, but officials warn meal reimbursements could be affected if the shutdown drags on. #NCed
Federal shutdown will affect some NC schools, officials monitoring possible impact on meals
The department and the state's schools are set to receive nearly $2 billion in federal funding this year, largely for special education services and assistance to schools enrolling higher shares of lo...
www.wral.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
Wake County says teachers can wear “Red for Ed” shirts at school as long as they don’t endorse specific political candidates. The district is updating its policy to clarify that general support for public ed is allowed. The new rule aims to ensure neutrality ahead of the 2026 elections. #NCed
Why Wake County says it’s OK for teachers to wear ‘red for ed’ shirts in school
Teachers have come to wear ‘red for ed’ shirts, often on Wednesdays, to rally support for public education.
www.newsobserver.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
The NC State Board of Education will again consider a policy change that would prevent students from failing a course solely due to poor attendance. The move follows concerns over post-pandemic absenteeism and aims to shift grading focus to academic performance. #NCed
NC education board again set to discuss failing grades, attendance policies
The State Board of Education will discuss a change nearly a year after approving a similar rule: That North Carolina high school students can no longer receive an "FF" failing grade solely based on no...
www.wral.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
A new NC bill (HB 358) removes the rule requiring public colleges to switch accreditors every 10 years. It also adds the new, public-college-focused CPHE to a list of preferred accreditors. The bill awaits Governor Stein’s signature. #NCed
Ex-provost’s lawsuit is latest in line of allegations against UNC-Chapel Hill trustees
Learn more in The N&O’s higher ed newsletter about similar allegations made against the UNC board in recent years.
www.newsobserver.com
Reposted by Public Ed Works
neatoday.bsky.social
The solution to the educator shortage isn’t complicated: raise pay, respect the work, and make sure every teacher can afford to stay in the classroom. When educators are supported, students thrive.
Salary Increases Help Teachers Stay in the Profession | NEA
Hard-fought gains in pay are making a difference. “I finally have my head above water. But we need to do better.”
www.nea.org
publicedworks.bsky.social
At 58, Lois Roegge is the oldest member of NC State’s 400-person marching band. A grad student and mom of two, she joined to rediscover her passion for music and now proudly plays mellophone at football games, proving it’s never too late to march on. #NCed
At 58, she’s the oldest but proudest horn player in the NC State marching band
Lois Roegge is a mother of two and a graduate student at NC State, and she dusted off her mellophone to join the Wolfpack band
www.newsobserver.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
PBS North Carolina cut over 30 jobs and removed 16 open roles to handle budget shortfalls caused by reduced federal funding. Leaders say the changes will help ensure long-term stability while keeping the focus on serving and educating the public. #NCed
PBS North Carolina cuts over 30 jobs to secure long-term stability amid budget shortfalls
The decision comes in response to ongoing budget challenges and aims to streamline operations while maintaining quality programming.
www.wral.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
This year, NC (the ninth most populous state), was ranked as the “Number One State in America for Doing Business”! In 2024, the aggregate total of all our state investments in public K-12 instruction ranked us 48th nationally in funding per student – $4,655 below the national average. #NCed
What? NC ranked #1 for business but 48th for funding schools? - Public Ed Works
By Dr. Francis P. Koster KANNAPOLIS (September 24, 2025) – On June 11 of this year, CNBC conducted a survey which ranked North Carolina (the ninth most populous state) as the “Number One State in Amer...
www.publicedworks.org
publicedworks.bsky.social
The NC House Speaker cited Duke’s $8M QB to oppose funding a kids' hospital, saying wealthy schools don’t need state help. Critics argue athlete pay and hospital funding are unrelated, since athletics money and endowments can’t be reallocated to medical projects. #NCed
Why a Duke quarterback’s salary is now part of the debate over a new NC children’s hospital
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall referenced Duke quarterback Darian Mensah in comments about why the state shouldn’t be paying for a new, standalone state children’s hospital.
www.wral.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
While North Carolina school systems are grappling with underfunding, corporations and millionaires are paying less and less taxes. Corporate tax rates were reduced from a 6.9% rate in 2012 to 2.3% and are planned to drop to 0% by 2030. In the year 2000, the rate was 7%. #NCed
Lessons Learned: Troubling tax cuts harm public schools - Public Ed Works
By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works (RALEIGH) – While North Carolina school systems are grappling with underfunding, corporations and millionaires are paying less and less taxes. Corporate tax rates were...
www.publicedworks.org
publicedworks.bsky.social
Federal education cuts could cost North Carolina $200M, with the biggest impact on poor, rural areas. Key programs like Title I may lose funding unless the Senate blocks the cuts and keeps current funding levels. #NCed
fox4kc.com
publicedworks.bsky.social
UNC-Chapel Hill’s former provost sued the university’s Board of Trustees Monday, saying the board repeatedly violated state open meetings and public records laws – and even used a platform that deletes texts after they’re read to evade the law. #NCed
Former provost sues board at UNC-Chapel Hill - Public Ed Works
HILLSBOROUGH (September 22, 2025) – UNC-Chapel Hill’s former provost sued the university’s Board of Trustees Monday, saying the board repeatedly violated state open meetings and public records laws – ...
www.publicedworks.org
publicedworks.bsky.social
UNC Pembroke ranks No. 15 among top public regional universities in the South by U.S. News, earning recognition for value, veteran support, academics, and social mobility—highlighting its commitment to affordability and student success. #NCed
UNCP ranked top-15 public university in the South, among best for military-affiliated students | Robesonian
www.robesonian.com