Public School Matters

In this episode our NCASA Advocacy Team takes an important look back at the unprecedented devastation that Hurricane Helene caused in western and northwestern North Carolina in late September 2024, just over a year ago and how it impacted K-12 education in those areas. Special guests for this episode are: Dr. Rob Jackson, Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools; and Dr. Eisa Cox, Superintendent of Ashe County Schools. NCASA'...

In this episode, the NCASA Advocacy Team welcomes Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools and President-Elect of the NCASA Board of Directors; Beckie Spears, Principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School and the 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year; and Kimberly Jones, an English and Humanities teacher for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Tea...

As state lawmakers take a brief break during the long, hot summer, lots of activity is happening in regard to K-12 public education legislation and funding. A recent decision from the U.S. Department of Education to withhold billions of dollars in education funding for states, including $165 million for North Carolina, has district and charter school leaders in crisis-management mode as they try to plan for opening the new year in ...

This week, NCASA welcomes two guests to help us explain the “Art of Education Advocacy:" Dr. Stephen Fisher, Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools and President-Elect of NCASA’s Board of Directors; and Dr. John Lassiter, Principal of Hertford Grammar School in Perquimans County Schools and the 2025 Wells Fargo Northeast Regional Principal of the Year. Together, along with our host, Katherine Joyce, Executive Director of N...

This week our Executive Director, Katherine Joyce, focuses on the challenges our local public schools face as state funding for private school vouchers is at an all-time high. Katherine is joined by Tracy Zimmerman, Vice President for Policy and Strategy at the Neimand Collaborative, a nationally renowned social impact marketing firm, and Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools and NCASA’s Past President. Tog...

This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team provides an update on NC’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, or “private school vouchers.” For more on this important issue, NCASA members can visit the NCASA Advocacy Center that provides a wealth of information and news about this issue and may others affecting K-12 education in our state.

Reference these resources mentioned in this week's podcast:

• Office of State Budget and Mana...

In this episode, our Education Advocacy Team recaps the events that took place at the NC General Assembly on May 1st as part of Principals’ Appreciation and Advocacy Day. The event, co-hosted by NCASA and the NC Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA), provided an opportunity for principals from around the state to visit the state legislature and discuss issues affecting principals’ roles in K-12 public education.

This week, Elizabeth Yelverton, NCASA Legal Affairs & Policy Manager, is joined by Tara Thomas, Policy Analyst, AASA, for an update on the latest federal education news.

Follow Tara Thomas on X (formerly known as Twitter) @TaraEThomas1
or get up to date information at the national level by reading The Leading Edge: Policy & Advocacy Blog. You can also listen to her on AASA’s PEP Talk (Public Education Policy) Podcast. 

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