Public Ed Works

In March, Gov. Josh Stein and legislative leaders Phil Berger and Destin Hall jointly created the Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education. The Commission has put one issue that has long been at the center of North Carolina’s education debate squarely in the spotlight: teacher compensation.

Teacher pay key part of Commission’s plan - Public Ed Works By Ginny Gaylor Public Ed Works RALEIGH (October 8, 2026) — In March, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein and Republican legislative leaders Phil Berger and Destin Hall jointly created the Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education. The 30-member bipartisan group includes legislators, state education leade...

The the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust has gifted a $20 million grant to UNC's Ackland Art Museum. The grant will go towards the museum's planned $70 million expansion, which is their first major upgrade in decades.

UNC's Ackland Art Museum Receives Lead Grant for $70 Million Expansion Project - Chapelboro.com A $20 million grant from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust honors nearly 50 years of dedication to the arts, including the Ackland.

North Carolina’s teacher pipeline is broken. Small improvements are being made year over year, as teacher vacancies declined by about 145 positions from the previous year. But — no one wants thousands of teachers still missing from schools. Let’s not confuse slightly better with fixed.

North Carolina is still short thousands of teachers - Public Ed Works By Amy Cockerham Public Ed Works RALEIGH (October 8, 2026) – North Carolina’s teacher pipeline is broken. The latest survey from the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA) shows over 6,000 vacancies in public schools across the state, with teachers making up about 2,000 of ...

UNC Asheville is raising Access Asheville’s income limit from $90,000 to $100,000 for fall 2027. Eligible NC families can receive free tuition and fees, while nearby-state students pay $10,000 after grants and scholarships.

UNC Asheville increases eligibility for lower tuition for students The University of North Carolina Asheville announces it is raising the income eligibility threshold for Access Asheville.

Last week, we discussed the impact of the proposed constitutional amendment to lower NC's income tax rate. This week, we turn our attention to the second proposed amendment on the November 3 ballot. The ballot will ask voters to vote on a “constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.”

Vote NO on limiting property taxes - Public Ed Works By Ginny Gaylor Public Ed Works RALEIGH (October 8, 2026) — Last week, we discussed the impact of the proposed constitutional amendment to lower North Carolina’s income tax rate. This week, we turn our attention to the second proposed amendment on the November 3 ballot. The ballot will ask voter...

North Carolina’s new law gives state employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave after a birth, adoption or foster placement. It also standardizes bereavement leave and could help with teacher recruitment and retainment.

State law expanding state employees’ paid parental leave takes effect The Public Workforce Modernization Act, which took effect Oct. 1, gives state employees 12 weeks of paid parental leave after the birth, adoption or fostering of a child, as well as standardizing bereavement leave across state agencies.

Proposed federal Head Start changes could mean larger classes, shorter days and fewer services for 17,600+ NC children. Gov. Stein and education leaders warn the changes could hurt families, especially in rural areas.

NC Head Start programs could face major changes under proposed federal rules • NC Newsline In a letter Monday to federal officials, Stein said he supports efforts to reduce “unnecessary administrative burdens” on Head Start programs. But he argued the proposed rule would weaken standards that help ensure consistent services for children and families.

Music Impact Coalition is launching a $3M+ North Carolina pilot to expand equitable music and arts education across eight school districts, testing scalable models designed to improve student engagement, well-being, and academic outcomes.

Music Impact Coalition Deploys $3M+ Grant to North Carolina Public Schools A coalition of music and arts foundations, including the CMA Foundation and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, will distribute over $3 million across…

Just vote against these amendments. Tell legislators to stop putting coporations over kids! These will just be more tax breaks for businesses and the wealthy.

Michael Jordan is donating $10 million to UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work, the largest gift in the school’s history. The funds will expand a research center named for his mother and provide scholarships for 10 social work students.

Michael Jordan donates $10 million to UNC School of Social Work, center renamed for his mother The money will fund the renovation and expansion of the Global Social Development Innovations Center and will be renamed the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center, in honor of Michael Jordan's mother.