Article 10.
Career and Technical Education.
§ 115C-151. Statement of purpose.
It is the intent of the General Assembly that career and technical education be an integral part of the educational process. The State Board of Education shall administer through local boards of education a comprehensive program of career and technical education that shall be available to all students, with priority given to students in grades eight through 12, who desire it in the public secondary schools and middle schools of this State. The purposes of career and technical education in North Carolina public secondary schools shall be as follows:
(1) Occupational Skill Development. - To prepare individuals for paid or unpaid employment in recognized occupations, new occupations, and emerging occupations.
(2) Preparation for Advanced Education. - To prepare individuals for participation in advanced or highly skilled career and technical education.
(3) Career Development; Introductory. - To assist individuals in the making of informed and meaningful occupational choices.
It is also legislative intent to authorize the State Board of Education to support appropriate career and technical education instruction and related services for individuals who have special career and technical education needs which can be fulfilled through a comprehensive career and technical education program as designated by State Board of Education policy or federal career and technical education legislation. (1977, c. 490, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1987, c. 738, s. 183; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2004-124, s. 7.15(b); 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-152. Definitions.
The State Board of Education shall provide appropriate definitions to career and technical education programs, services, and activities in grades five through 12 not otherwise included in this Part. As used in this Part, the following definitions apply, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) "Career development; introductory; or career awareness program" means an instructional program, service, or activity designed to familiarize individuals with the broad range of occupations for which special skills are required and the requisites for careers in such occupations. A career awareness program offered to elementary school students shall encourage students to explore career pathways and prepare students for the transition to middle school career planning.
(2) "Comprehensive career and technical education" means instructional programs, services, or activities directly related to preparation for and placement in employment, for advanced technical preparation, or for the making of informed and meaningful educational and occupational choices.
(3) "Occupational skill development" means a program, service, or activity designed to prepare individuals for paid or unpaid employment as semiskilled or skilled workers, technicians, or professional-support personnel in recognized occupations and in new and emerging occupations including occupations or a trade, technical, business, health, office, homemaking, homemaking-related, agricultural, marketing, and other nature. Instruction is designed to fit individuals for initial employment in a specific occupation or a cluster of closely related occupations in an occupational field. This instruction includes education in technology, manipulative skills, theory, auxiliary information, application of academic skills, and other associated abilities.
(4) "Preparation for advanced education" means a program, service, or activity designed to prepare individuals for participation in advanced or highly skilled post-secondary and technical education programs leading to employment in specific occupations or a cluster of closely related occupations and for participation in career and technical education teacher education programs. (1977, c. 490, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1987, c. 738, s. 184; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-153. Administration of career and technical education.
The State Board of Education shall be the sole State agency for the State administration of career and technical education at all levels, shall be designated as the State Board of Career and Technical Education, and shall have all necessary authority to cooperate with any and all federal agencies in the administration of national acts assisting career and technical education, to administer any legislation pursuant thereto enacted by the General Assembly of North Carolina, and to cooperate with local boards of education in providing career and technical education programs, services, and activities for youth and adults residing in the areas under their jurisdiction. (1977, c. 490, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-154. Duties of the State Board of Education.
In carrying out its duties, the State Board of Education shall develop and implement any policies, rules, regulations, and procedures as necessary to ensure career and technical education programs of high quality. The State Board of Education shall prepare a Master Plan for Career and Technical Education. The plan, to be updated periodically, shall ensure that, at a minimum, the following activities are accomplished:
(1) Articulation shall occur with institutions, agencies, councils, and other organizations having responsibilities for work force preparedness.
(2) Business, industrial, agricultural, and lay representatives organized as business advisory councils under Part 4 of this Article have been utilized in the development of decisions affecting career and technical education programs and services.
(3) Public hearings are conducted annually to afford the public an opportunity to express their views concerning the State Board's plan and to suggest changes in the plan.
(4) The plan describes the State's policy for career and technical education and the system utilized for the delivery of career and technical education programs, services, and activities. The policy shall include priorities of curriculum, integration of career and academic education, technical preparation, and youth apprenticeships.
(5) A professionally and occupationally qualified staff is employed and organized in a manner to assure efficient and effective State leadership for career and technical education. Provisions shall be made for such functions as: planning, administration, supervision, personnel development, curriculum development, career and technical education student organization and coordination research and evaluation, and such others as the State Board may direct.
(6) An appropriate supply of qualified personnel is trained for program expansion and replacements through cooperative arrangements with institutions of higher education and other institutions or agencies, including where necessary financial support of programs and curriculums designed for the preparation of career and technical education administrators, supervisors, coordinators, instructors, and support personnel.
(7) Minimum standards shall be prescribed for personnel employed at the State and local levels.
(8) Local boards of education submit to the State Board of Education a local plan for career and technical education that has been prepared in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Master Plan for Career and Technical Education.
(9) Appropriate minimum standards for career and technical education programs, services, and activities shall be established, promulgated, supervised, monitored, and maintained. These standards shall specify characteristics such as program objectives, competencies, course sequence, program duration, class size, supervised on-the-job experiences, career and technical education student organization, school-to-work transition programs, qualifications of instructors, and all other standards necessary to ensure that all programs conducted by local school administrative units shall be of high quality, relevant to student needs, and coordinated with employment opportunities.
(10) A system of continuing qualitative and quantitative evaluation of all career and technical education programs, services, and activities supported under the provisions of this Part shall be established, maintained, and utilized periodically. One component of the system shall be follow-up studies of employees and former students of career and technical education programs who have been out of school for one year, and for five years to ascertain the effectiveness of instruction, services, and activities. (1977, c. 490, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1983, c. 750, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-154.1. Approval of local career and technical education plans or applications.
The State Board of Education shall not approve any local board of education career and technical education plans or applications unless the plan or application meets all of the following conditions:
(1) The programs are in accordance with the purposes of G.S. 115C-151.
(2) The career and technical education programs and courses are not duplicated within a local school administrative unit, unless the unit has data to justify the duplication or the unit has a plan to redirect the duplicative programs within three years.
(3) For all current job skill programs, there is a documented need, based on labor market data or follow-up data, or there is a plan to redirect the program within two years.
(4) New career and technical education programs show documented need based on student demand, or for new job skill programs, based on student and labor market demand.
(5) All programs are responsive to technological advances, changing characteristics of the work force, and the academic, technical, and attitudinal development of students.
(6) The local board of education establishes a business advisory council in accordance with Part 4 of this Article. The local board of education shall submit information regarding ongoing consultation with the advisory council as part of the career and technical education local planning system maintained by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction.
Local programs using the cooperative career and technical education method shall be approved subject to students enrolled being placed in employment commensurate with the respective program criteria. (1987, c. 738, s. 185; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-154.2. Career and technical education equipment standards.
The State Board of Education shall develop equipment standards for each career and technical education program level and shall assist local school administrative units in determining the adequacy of equipment for each career and technical education program available in each local school administrative unit.
The State Board shall also develop a plan to assure that minimum equipment standards for each program are met to the extent that State, local, and federal funds are available for that purpose. The State Board shall consider all reasonable and prudent means to meet these minimum equipment standards and to ensure a balanced career and technical education program for students in the public schools. (1991, c. 570, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-155. Acceptance of benefits of federal career and technical education acts.
The State of North Carolina, through the State Board of Education, may accept all the provisions and benefits of acts passed by the Congress of the United States providing federal funds for career and technical education programs: Provided, however, that the State Board of Education shall not accept those funds upon any condition that the public schools of this State shall be operated contrary to any provision of the Constitution or statutes of this State. (1977, c. 490, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-156. State funds for career and technical education.
It is the intent of the General Assembly of North Carolina to appropriate funds for each fiscal year to support the purposes of career and technical education as set forth in G.S. 115C-151. From funds appropriated, the State Board of Education shall establish a sum of money for State administration of career and technical education and shall allocate the remaining sum on an equitable basis to local school administrative units, except that a contingency fund is established to correct excess deviations that may occur during the regular school year. In the administration of State funds, the State Board of Education shall adopt such policies and procedures as necessary to ensure that the funds appropriated are used for the purpose stated in this Part and consistent with the policy set forth in the Master Plan for Career and Technical Education. (1977, c. 490, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-156.1: Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 180, s. 3.
§ 115C-156.2. Industry certifications and credentials program.
(a) It is the intent of the State to encourage students to enroll in and successfully complete rigorous coursework and credentialing processes in career and technical education to enable success in the workplace. To attain this goal, to the extent funds are made available for this purpose, students shall be supported to earn State Board of Education approved industry certifications and credentials as follows:
(1) Students enrolled in public schools and in career and technical education courses shall be exempt from paying any fees for one administration of examinations leading to industry certifications and credentials pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
(2) Each school year, at such time as agreed to by the Department of Commerce and the State Board of Education, the Department of Commerce shall provide the State Board of Education with a list of those occupations in high need of additional skilled employees. If the occupations identified in such list are not substantially the same as those occupations identified in the list from the prior year, reasonable notice of such changes shall be provided to local school administrative units.
(3) Local school administrative units shall consult with their local industries, employers, business advisory councils, and workforce development boards to identify industry certification and credentials that the local school administrative unit may offer to best meet State and local workforce needs.
(b) The State Board of Education shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by November 15 of each year on the following information:
(1) The number of students in career and technical education courses who earned (i) community college credit and (ii) related industry certifications and credentials.
(2) Implementation of high school diploma endorsements, including adding (i) college, (ii) career, and (iii) college and career endorsements to high school diplomas, through evaluation of at least the following data:
a. Impact on the rates of high school graduation, college acceptance and remediation, and post-high school employment.
b. The number of students who had to retake a nationally norm-referenced college admissions test to meet the reading benchmark score required by G.S. 115C-83.32(a) to receive a college or career high school diploma endorsement and the number of students who were not awarded a college or career high school diploma endorsement solely because of the inability to meet the benchmark score for reading required by G.S. 115C-83.32(a).
c. The number of students receiving any high school diploma endorsement. (2013-360, s. 8.28(b); 2014-115, s. 83; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e); 2017-102, s. 48(e); 2019-165, s. 3.2(a); 2023-134, s. 7.72(f).)
§ 115C-157. Responsibility of local boards of education.
(a) Each local school administrative unit, shall provide free appropriate career and technical education instruction, activities, and services in accordance with the provisions of this Part for all youth, with priority given to youth in grades eight through 12, who elect the instruction and shall have responsibility for administering the instruction, activities, and services in accordance with federal and State law and State Board of Education policies.
(b) Each local school administrative unit shall offer as part of its career and technical education program at least two work-based learning opportunities that are related to career and technical education instruction. A work-based learning opportunity shall consist of on-the-job training through an internship, cooperative education, or an apprenticeship program meeting the requirements of Chapter 115D of the General Statutes.
(c) Each local board of education is encouraged to implement a career awareness program for students in grade five to educate students on the career and technical education programs offered in the local school administrative unit. A local board of education that adopts a career awareness program for fifth grade students shall report on program activities and student outcomes from the prior school year to the State Board of Education by October 1 of each year. By November 15 of each year, the State Board shall submit a consolidated report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on program outcomes and any legislative recommendations based on local board of education reports. (1977, c. 490, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2004-124, s. 7.15(c); 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-157.1. Adjunct CTE instructors.
(a) Adjunct Hiring Criteria. - The State Board of Education shall develop minimum criteria of relevant education or employment experience to qualify to contract as an adjunct instructor in each career and technical education career cluster. The criteria shall weigh work experience and industry recognized licenses or credentials over educational attainment level. The State Board shall make the minimum criteria available to local boards of education.
(b) Contracting with Adjunct Instructors. - Notwithstanding Article 20 and Part 3 of Article 22 of this Chapter, a local board of education may contract with an individual to serve as an adjunct instructor who meets the adjunct hiring criteria established by the State Board of Education for a specific career and technical education career cluster. The local board of education may contract with an adjunct instructor on an annual or semester basis, subject to the following requirements:
(1) An adjunct instructor may be employed for no more than 20 hours per week or no more than five full consecutive months of employment. An adjunct instructor shall not be eligible to earn paid leave, participate in the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, or receive or purchase health benefits through the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.
(2) An adjunct instructor shall be subject to a criminal history check, to ensure that the person has not been convicted of any crime listed in G.S. 115C-332.
(3) An adjunct instructor shall not be required to hold or apply for licensure as a teacher.
(4) An adjunct instructor must complete preservice training in all of the following areas prior to beginning instruction:
a. The identification and education of children with disabilities.
b. Positive management of student behavior.
c. Effective communication for defusing and deescalating disruptive or dangerous behavior.
d. Safe and appropriate use of seclusion and restraint. (2016-94, s. 8.32(c); 2019-185, s. 2(a).)
§ 115C-157.5. Extended year agriculture education program; evaluation of career and technical education agriculture teacher personnel.
Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 115C-302.1(b2), local boards of education shall provide career and technical education agriculture teacher personnel with adequate resources to provide a career and technical education agriculture education program for 12 calendar months, which includes work-based learning services and instructional and leadership development. A local board of education shall require that career and technical education agriculture teacher personnel who are employed for 12 calendar months, pursuant to G.S. 115C-302.1, are evaluated in the same manner as teachers evaluated in accordance with G.S. 115C-333 or G.S. 115C-333.1, as applicable. (2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-158. Federal funds division.
The division between secondary and post-secondary educational systems and institutions of federal funds for which the State Board of Career and Technical Education has responsibility shall, within discretionary limits established by law, require the concurrence of the State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges on and after January 1, 1981. The portion of the approved State Plan for post-secondary career and technical education required by G.S. 115C-154 shall be as approved by the State Board of Community Colleges. (1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1130, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§§ 115C-158.1 through 115C-158.9. (Reserved)
Reserved for future codificaton purposes. (1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1130, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-158.10. (Effective beginning with the 2024-2025 school year) Career development plans.
(a) All middle and high school students enrolled in a local school administrative unit shall complete a career development plan that meets the requirements of this section. The local board of education shall ensure that students are provided assistance in completion of the plan as well as instruction on how to access that plan throughout the student's enrollment. A student shall not be promoted from seventh grade until a career development plan is created and shall not be promoted from tenth grade until the career development plan is revised. Local boards of education are encouraged to require more frequent revisions as appropriate. Charter schools are encouraged to require participation in career development plans for students in accordance with this section.
(b) Local boards of education shall ensure that career development plans are easily accessible to students and parents and shall provide parents written notice of the initial creation of a career development plan and information on how to access the plan.
(c) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules establishing minimum requirements for career development plans and shall require local boards of education to provide access to all career development plans through a designated electronic application. Career development plans shall include at least the following:
(1) Self-assessment of the student's aptitudes, skills, values, personality, and career interests.
(2) Exploration and identification of pathways for careers aligned with the student's self-assessment that include the following for each career:
a. Identification of needed education, training, and certifications.
b. Information on the most cost-efficient path to entry.
c. Opportunities within the school setting to explore and prepare for the career.
(3) Alignment of academic courses and extracurricular activities with the student's identified career interests, including the following:
a. Inventory of aligned courses in middle and high school in grades six through 10, and development of best strategies for course selection in grades 11 and 12 to achieve identified career interests, including courses that may lead to college credit.
b. Available record of the following:
1. Completed Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and dual-enrollment courses that may lead to college credit in high school.
2. Extracurricular activities.
3. Awards and recognitions.
(4) Creation of a career portfolio, which may include items such as the following:
a. Documentation of postsecondary plans.
b. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid with parental consent.
c. Résumé.
d. Occupational outlook for identified career interests. (2023-134, s. 7.13(b).)
§ 115C-159. Statement of purpose.
It is the intent of the General Assembly that practical work experiences within the school and outside the school, which are valuable to students and which are under the supervision of a teacher, should be encouraged as a part of career and technical education instruction in the public secondary schools and middle schools when those experiences are organized and maintained to the best advantage of the career and technical education programs. Those activities are a part of the instructional activities in the career and technical education programs and are not to be construed as engaging in business. Those services, products, and properties generated through these instructional activities are exempt from the requirements of G.S. 115C-518. Local boards of education shall adopt rules for the disposition of these services, products, and properties. Local boards of education may use available financial resources to support that instruction. (1977, c. 490, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1983, c. 750, s. 2; 1985, c. 479, s. 32; 1987, c. 738, s. 184; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-160. Definitions.
The State Board of Education shall provide appropriate definitions necessary to this part of career and technical education instruction not otherwise included in this Part. As used in this Part, the following definitions apply, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) The term "building trades training" means the development of career skills through the construction of dwellings or other buildings and related activities by students in career and technical education programs.
(2) The term "production work" means production activities and services performed by students in career and technical education classes under contract with a second party for remuneration. (1977, c. 490, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-161. Duties of the State Board of Education.
The State Board of Education is authorized and directed to establish, maintain, and implement such policies, rules, regulations, and procedures not in conflict with State law or other State Board policies as necessary to assist local boards of education in the conduct of production work experiences performed in connection with approved State Board of Education career and technical education programs. (1977, c. 490, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-162. Use of proceeds derived from production work.
Unless elsewhere authorized in these statutes, local boards of education shall deposit to the appropriate school account, no later than the end of the next business day after receipt of funds, all proceeds derived from the sale of products or services from production work experiences. These proceeds shall be established as a revolving fund to be used solely in operating and improving career and technical education programs. (1977, c. 490, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-163. Acquisition of land for agricultural education instructional programs.
Local boards of education may acquire by gift, purchase, or lease for not less than the useful life of any project to be conducted upon the premises, a parcel of land suitable for a land laboratory to provide students with practical instruction in soil science, plant science, horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry, and other subjects related to the agriculture curriculum.
Each deed, lease, or other agreement for land shall be made to the respective local board of education in which the school offering instruction in agriculture is located; and title to such land shall be examined and approved by the local board of education's attorney.
Any land laboratory thus acquired shall be assigned to the agricultural education program of the school, to be managed with the advice of an agricultural education advisory committee or a specialized subcommittee of a business advisory council as provided under Part 4 of this Article.
The products of the land laboratory not needed for public school purposes may be sold to the public: Provided, however, that all proceeds from the sale of products shall be deposited in the appropriate school account no later than the end of the next business day after receipt of funds. The proceeds shall be established as a revolving fund to be used solely in operating and improving career and technical education programs. (1977, c. 490, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-164. Building trades training.
In the establishment and implementation of production work experience policies, the State Board of Education shall be guided as follows:
(1) Local boards of education may use supplementary tax funds or other local funds available for the support of career and technical education to purchase and develop suitable building sites on which dwellings or other buildings are to be constructed by career and technical education trade classes of each public school operated by local boards of education. Local boards of education may use these funds for each school to pay the fees necessary in securing and recording deeds to these properties for each public school operated by local boards of education and to purchase all materials needed to complete the construction of buildings by career and technical education trade classes and for development of site and property by other career and technical education classes. Local boards of education may use these funds to acquire skilled services, including electrical, plumbing, heating, sewer, water, transportation, grading, and landscaping needed in the construction and completion of buildings, that cannot be supplied by the students in career and technical education trade classes.
(2) Local boards of education may, in conjunction with or in lieu of subdivision (1) of this section, contract with recognized building trades educational foundations or associations in the purchase of land for the construction and development of buildings: Provided however, that all contracts shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth by the State Board of Education. (1977, c. 490, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-165. Advisory committee on production work activities.
The local board of education of each local school administrative unit in which the proposed production work activities are to be undertaken shall appoint appropriate workforce production advisory committees of no less than three persons residing within that administrative unit for each program (or in the case of Trade and Industrial Education, for each specialty) for the purpose of reviewing and making recommendations on such production work activities. Workforce production advisory committees, including agricultural education advisory committees under G.S. 115C-163, may be established as specialized subcommittees of the business advisory councils as provided under Part 4 of this Article. Respective advisory committee members shall be lay persons who are actively involved in the appropriate business or trade. No production work activity shall be undertaken without the involvement of the appropriate advisory committee. (1977, c. 490, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1983, c. 750, s. 3; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-166. Eye protection devices required in certain courses.
The governing board or authority of any public or private school or educational institution within the State, wherein shops or laboratories are conducted providing instructional or experimental programs, shall provide for and require that every student and teacher wear industrial-quality eye protective devices at all times while participating in a program that involves any of the following:
(1) Hot solids, liquids or molten metals.
(2) Milling, sawing, turning, shaping, cutting, or stamping of any solid materials.
(3) Heat treatment, tempering, or kiln firing of any metal or other materials.
(4) Gas or electric arc welding.
(5) Repair or servicing of any vehicle.
(6) Caustic or explosive chemicals or materials.
These industrial-quality eye protective devices shall be furnished free of charge to the student and teacher. (1969, c. 1050, s. 1; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-167. Visitors to wear eye safety devices.
Visitors to shops and laboratories subject to the requirements of G.S. 115C-166 shall be furnished with and required to wear industrial-quality eye protective devices while instructional or experimental programs are in progress. (1977, c. 1050, s. 2; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)
§ 115C-168. "Industrial-quality eye protective devices" defined.
"Industrial-quality eye protective devices", as used in G.S. 115C-166, means devices meeting the standards of the U.S.A. Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, Z 87.1-1968 approved by the U.S.A. Standards Institute, Inc. (1969, c. 1050, s. 3; 1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
§ 115C-169. Corrective-protective devices.
In those cases where corrective-protective devices that require prescription ophthalmic lenses are necessary, such devices shall only be supplied by those persons licensed by the State to prescribe or supply corrective-protective devices. (1969, c. 1050, s. 4; 1981, c. 423, s. 1.)
§§ 115C-170 through 115C-171: Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 115C-172. Business advisory councils established; members; selection; duties.
(a) Purpose. - Each local board of education shall be assisted by a business advisory council in the performance of its duties to provide career and technical education instruction, activities, and services in accordance with this Article. The business advisory council shall serve local boards of education by identifying economic and workforce development trends related to the training and educational needs of the local community and advocating for strong, local career and technical education programs, including career pathway development that provides work-based learning opportunities for students and prepares students for post-secondary educational certifications and credentialing for high-demand careers. A business advisory council established under this Part may serve more than one local board of education in a region of the State upon the agreement of the members of the council and all of the local boards of education to be served by that council.
(b) Workforce Production Subcommittees. - A business advisory council may form a subcommittee of the council for the purposes of advising a local board of education on workforce production activities under Part 2 of this Article.
(c) Membership. - Each business advisory council shall have at least nine members. The council shall be composed of members who reasonably reflect the education, business, and community makeup of the local school administrative unit that it serves. A majority of the membership of the council shall be composed of business, industry, and community members appointed in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, and the remaining members shall consist of education representatives as follows:
(1) Education representatives. - The following members shall serve ex officio on the council to represent each local school administrative unit that the council serves:
a. The superintendent of the local school administrative unit or his or her designee.
b. The career and technical education program director of the local school administrative unit as a nonvoting member.
c. The president of the community college that serves the area in which the local school administrative unit is located, in whole or in part, or his or her designee.
d. A principal of a school located within the local school administrative unit, as assigned by the superintendent.
(2) Business, industry, and community representatives. - At least five other members shall serve on the council to represent business and industry located within each local school administrative unit that the council serves and the community. Members shall be business, industry, and workforce and economic development stakeholders in the community, and community members, including any of the following:
a. Local business and industry owners.
b. Representatives from local manufacturing centers and factories.
c. Human resource directors employed at businesses and industries in the community.
d. Representatives from community-based organizations.
e. Representatives from economic and workforce development organizations.
f. Parents of students enrolled in career and technical education courses.
g. Representative or manager of the local apprenticeship coalition.
(d) Initial Terms and Appointments. - Each local board of education shall make the initial appointment of members of the business advisory council under subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section for terms beginning January 1, 2018. The local board of education shall divide the initial appointments into three groups if there are only three appointments, and into four groups as equal in size as practicable if there are more than three appointments, and shall designate appointments in group one to serve four-year terms, in group two to serve three-year terms, in group three to serve two-year terms, and in group four to serve one-year terms.
(e) Subsequent Terms and Appointments. - As terms expire for members appointed as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the business advisory council shall appoint subsequent members of the business advisory council under subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section for four-year terms. The local board of education shall establish a policy on the appointment of subsequent members to the council, including procedures for increasing the number of members serving on the council. Any vacancies in seats appointed to the council shall be filled by the remaining members of the council.
(f) Council Secretary. - The career and technical education program director shall serve as secretary to the council. If the council serves more than one local board of education, the program director of each local school administrative unit shall serve as secretary for a period of time as determined by the members of the council.
(g) Bylaws. - Each business advisory council shall adopt bylaws establishing procedures for conducting the business of the council, which shall include at least the following:
(1) A chair of the business advisory council shall be elected annually by the members of the council from among the business and industry representative members of the council.
(2) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
(3) The business advisory council shall meet at least biannually.
(4) The chair or three of the members may call a special meeting of the council.
(5) Procedures for appointing members to the council that are consistent with the policy adopted by the local board of education under subsection (e) of this section.
(h) Public Records. - A business advisory council is subject to the Public Records Act, Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, and the Open Meetings Law, Article 33C of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(i) Expenses. - The local board of education shall provide for meeting space and assignment of necessary administrative staff to the business advisory council. (2017-57, s. 7.23H(e).)