§ 115C-150.12C.  (Effective July 1, 2024) Powers and duties.

A board of trustees shall adopt rules necessary for the administration of the school to implement the requirements of this Article. Each board of trustees shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) Sound basic education. - It shall be the duty of the board of trustees to provide admitted students with the opportunity to receive a sound basic education in grades kindergarten through 12, as directed by law, and to make all policy decisions with that objective in mind, including employment decisions, budget development, and other administrative actions. The board of trustees shall comply with the requirements of Part 1 of Article 8 and Article 10A of this Chapter.

(2) Exercise judicial functions. - The board of trustees shall employ or contract with private counsel to provide advice and representation for the school. The board may institute all actions, suits, or proceedings against officers, persons, or corporations, or their sureties, for the recovery, preservation, and application of all money or property which may be due to or should be applied to the support and maintenance of the school. In all actions brought in any court against a board of trustees, the order or action of the board shall be presumed to be correct, and the burden of proof shall be on the complaining party to show the contrary. G.S. 114-2.3 and G.S. 147-17 shall not apply to the schools for the deaf and blind. Upon the request of the board of trustees of a school, the Attorney General shall provide representation as required by G.S. 114-2.

(3) Academic program. - The board of trustees shall adopt rules governing class size, the instructional calendar, the length of the instructional day, and the number of instructional days in each term. The board of trustees shall adopt a school calendar consisting of a minimum of 185 days or 1,025 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months.

(3a) (Effective October 3, 2023 - see note) Literacy instruction. - The board of trustees shall ensure that a three-cueing system, as defined in G.S. 115C-83.3(9a), or a curriculum with visual memory as the primary basis for teaching word recognition is not used in any instruction or intervention provided to students in grades kindergarten through three.

(4) School report cards. - A school shall ensure that the report card issued for it by the State Board of Education is provided to the public. The State Board shall evaluate the schools for the deaf and blind in the same manner as other alternative schools as provided in G.S. 115C-12(24). Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, a school shall ensure that the measures for educational performance and growth for the current and previous four school years are prominently displayed on the school website.

(5) Standards of performance and conduct. - The board of trustees shall establish policies and standards for academic performance, attendance, and conduct for students of the school. The policies of the board of trustees shall comply with Article 27 of this Chapter.

(6) School attendance. - Every parent or other person in this State having charge or control of a child who is enrolled in schools for the deaf and blind who is less than 16 years of age shall cause such child to attend that school continuously for a period equal to the time that the school shall be in session. No person shall encourage, entice, or counsel any child to be unlawfully absent from the school. Any person who aids or abets a student's unlawful absence from the school shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The principal shall be responsible for implementing such additional policies concerning compulsory attendance as shall be adopted by the board of trustees, including regulations concerning lawful and unlawful absences, permissible excuses for temporary absences, maintenance of attendance records, and attendance counseling.

(7) Uniform Education Reporting System. - The board of trustees shall comply with the reporting requirements established by the State Board of Education in the Uniform Education Reporting System.

(8) Education of children with disabilities. - The board of trustees shall require compliance with federal and State laws and policies relating to the education of children with disabilities for all students admitted to the school. An IEP shall be developed by the school for all newly admitted students granted an educational program assignment.

(9) Extracurricular activities. - The board of trustees shall make all rules necessary for the conducting of extracurricular activities, including a program of athletics, where desired, without assuming liability therefor; provided, that all interscholastic athletic activities shall be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the State Board of Education.

(10) Fees, charges, and solicitations. - The board of trustees shall adopt rules governing solicitations of, sales to, and fundraising activities conducted by the students and faculty members in the school, and no fees, charges, or costs shall be collected from students and school personnel without approval of the board of trustees as recorded in the minutes of said board; provided, this subdivision shall not apply to such textbook fees as are determined and established by the State Board of Education. The board of trustees shall publish a schedule of approved fees, charges, and solicitations on the school's website by October 15 of each school year and, if the schedule is subsequently revised, within 30 days following the revision.

(11) Federal or private funds. - The board of trustees shall have power and authority to accept, receive, and administer any funds or financial assistance given, granted, or provided under the provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-10, 89th Congress, H.R. 2362) and under the provisions of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-452, 88th Congress, S. 2642), or other federal acts or funds from foundations or private sources, and to comply with all conditions and requirements necessary for the receipt, acceptance, and use of said funds. In the administration of such funds, the board of trustees shall have authority to enter into contracts with and to cooperate with and to carry out projects with nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, community groups, and nonprofit corporations, and to enter into joint agreements for these purposes with other governing bodies of public school units. The board of trustees shall furnish such information as shall be requested by the State Board of Education, from time to time, relating to any programs related or conducted pursuant to this subdivision.

(12) Educational research. - The board of trustees is authorized to sponsor or conduct educational research and special projects approved by the Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education that may improve the school. Such research or projects may be conducted during the summer months, and the board may use any available funds for such purposes.

(13) Anti-nepotism policies. - The board of trustees shall adopt rules requiring that before any immediate family, as defined in G.S. 115C-12.2, of any board of trustees' member or administrator, including directors, supervisors, specialists, staff officers, or principals, shall be employed or engaged as an employee, independent contractor, or otherwise by the board of trustees in any capacity, such proposed employment or engagement shall be (i) disclosed to the board of trustees and (ii) approved by the board of trustees in a duly called open-session meeting. The burden of disclosure of such a conflict of interest shall be on the applicable board member or administrator.

(14) Conduct and duties of personnel. - The board of trustees, upon the recommendation of the director, shall have full power to make rules governing the conduct of teachers, principals, and supervisors; the kind of reports they shall make; and their duties in the care of school property. Prior to the beginning of each school year, the board of trustees shall identify all reports that are required for the school year and shall, to the maximum extent possible, eliminate any duplicate or obsolete reporting requirements and consolidate remaining reporting requirements. Prior to the beginning of each school year, the board of trustees shall also identify software protocols that could be used to minimize repetitious data entry and shall make them available to teachers and other employees.

(15) Health and safety. - The board of trustees shall require that the school meet the same health and safety standards required of a local school administrative unit. The board shall comply with the requirements of Article 25A of this Chapter, including the following:

a. The board shall ensure that the school provides parents with information about cervical cancer, cervical dysplasia, human papillomavirus, and the vaccines available to prevent these diseases. This information shall be provided at the beginning of the school year to parents of children entering grades five through 12. This information shall include the causes and symptoms of these diseases, how they are transmitted, how they may be prevented by vaccination, including the benefits and possible side effects of vaccination, and places parents may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children.

b. The board shall adopt policies to ensure that students in grades nine through 12 receive information annually on the manner in which a parent may lawfully abandon a newborn baby with a responsible person, in accordance with G.S. 7B-500.

(16) School-based mental health. - The board of trustees shall adopt a school-based mental health plan, including a mental health training program and suicide risk referral protocol, in accordance with G.S. 115C-376.5.

(17) School safety. - The board of trustees shall comply with the requirements of Article 8C of this Chapter, including the following:

a. School Risk Management Plan. - The board of trustees, in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, shall adopt a School Risk Management Plan (SRMP) relating to incidents of school violence. In constructing and maintaining these plans, the board of trustees shall utilize the School Risk and Response Management System established pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.49A. These plans are not considered a public record as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6.

b. Schematic diagrams and school crisis kits. - The board of trustees shall provide schematic diagrams and keys to the main entrance of school facilities to local law enforcement agencies, in addition to implementing the provisions in G.S. 115C-105.52.

c. School safety exercises. - At least once a year, a school shall hold a full school-wide lockdown exercise with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies that are part of the school's SRMP.

d. Safety information provided to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management. - The board of trustees shall provide the following: (i) schematic diagrams, including digital schematic diagrams, and (ii) emergency response information requested by the Division for the SRMP. The schematic diagrams and emergency response information are not considered public records as the term "public record" is defined under G.S. 132-1 and shall not be subject to inspection and examination under G.S. 132-6.

e. Anonymous tip line. - A school shall develop and operate an anonymous tip line in accordance with G.S. 115C-105.51.

f. Threat assessment teams. - A school shall comply with the requirements for threat assessment teams pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.65.

(18) Reporting school violence. - A board of trustees shall report all acts of school violence to the State Board of Education in accordance with G.S. 115C-12(21).

(19) Driving eligibility certificates and drivers education. - The board of trustees shall apply the rules and policies established by the State Board of Education for issuance of driving eligibility certificates. The board of trustees shall provide drivers education in accordance with Article 14 of this Chapter.

(20) Instructional materials. - The board of trustees shall have the authority to select, procure, and use textbooks not adopted by the State Board of Education as provided in G.S. 115C-98(b1). The board shall have sole authority to select and procure supplementary instructional materials, whether or not the materials contain commercial advertising, pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 115C-98(b).

(21) Policy against bullying. - The board of trustees shall adopt a policy against bullying or harassing behavior, including cyber-bullying, in accordance with Article 29C of this Chapter, and shall at the beginning of each school year provide the policy to staff, students, and parents as defined in G.S. 115C-390.1(b)(8).

(22) Religious activity and moment of silence. - The board of trustees shall comply with the requirements of Article 29D of this Chapter. To afford students and teachers a moment of quiet reflection at the beginning of each day in the public schools, to create a boundary between school time and nonschool time, and to set a tone of decorum in the classroom that will be conducive to discipline and learning, the board of trustees may adopt a policy to authorize the observance of a moment of silence at the commencement of the first class of each day in all grades in the public schools. Such a policy shall provide that the teacher in charge of the room in which each class is held may announce that a period of silence not to exceed one minute in duration shall be observed and that during that period silence shall be maintained and no one may engage in any other activities. Such period of silence shall be totally and completely unstructured and free of guidance or influence of any kind from any sources.

(23) Display of the United States and North Carolina flags and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. - The board of trustees shall adopt policies to (i) require the display of the United States and North Carolina flags in each classroom, when available, (ii) require that recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance be scheduled on a daily basis, and (iii) provide age-appropriate instruction on the meaning and historical origins of the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. These policies shall not compel any person to stand, salute the flag, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. If flags are donated or are otherwise available, flags shall be displayed in each classroom.

(24) Child sexual abuse and sex trafficking training program. - The board of trustees shall adopt and implement a child sexual abuse and sex trafficking training program in accordance with G.S. 115C-375.20.

(25) Science safety requirements. - A board of trustees shall:

a. Certify annually to the State Board of Education that the school's science laboratories for high school and middle school students are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment for students and teachers.

b. Ensure that the school complies with all State Board of Education policies related to science laboratory safety.

(26) Graduation projects. - A board of trustees shall not require a high school graduation project as a condition of graduation unless the board provides a method of reimbursement of up to seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for expenses related to the high school graduation project for any student identified as an economically disadvantaged student.

(27) Group accident and health insurance for students. - A board of trustees may purchase group accident, group health, or group accident and health insurance for students in accordance with G.S. 58-51-81.

(28) Access for youth groups. - Schools for the deaf and blind are encouraged to facilitate access for students to participate in activities provided by any youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society, such as the Boy Scouts of America, and its affiliated North Carolina groups and councils, and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, and its affiliated North Carolina groups and councils. Student participation in any activities offered by these organizations shall not interfere with instructional time during the school day for the purposes of encouraging civic education.

(29) Parental notification of certain acts reported to law enforcement. - A board of trustees shall adopt a rule on the notification to parents of any students alleged to be victims of any act that is required to be reported to law enforcement and the superintendent under G.S. 115C-288(g).

(30) Seclusion and restraint report. - A board of trustees shall maintain a record of incidents reported under G.S. 115C-391.1(j)(4) and shall provide this information annually to the State Board of Education.

(31) Use of pesticides. - A board of trustees shall adopt rules that address the use of pesticides in schools. These policies shall:

a. Require the principal or the principal's designee to annually notify the students' parents as well as school staff of the schedule of pesticide use on school property and their right to request notification. Such notification shall be made, to the extent possible, at least 72 hours in advance of nonscheduled pesticide use on school property. The notification requirements under this subdivision do not apply to the application of the following types of pesticide products: antimicrobial cleansers, disinfectants, self-contained baits and crack-and-crevice treatments, and any pesticide products classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as belonging to the U.S.E.P.A. Toxicity Class IV, "relatively nontoxic" (no signal word required on the product's label).

b. Require the use of Integrated Pest Management. As used in this sub-subdivision, "Integrated Pest Management" or "IPM" means the comprehensive approach to pest management that combines biological, physical, chemical, and cultural tactics as well as effective, economic, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable methods to prevent and solve pest problems that emphasizes pest prevention and provides a decision-making process for determining if, when, and where pest suppression is needed and what control tactics and methods are appropriate.

(32) Arsenic-treated wood. - A board of trustees shall prohibit the purchase or acceptance of chromated copper arsenate-treated wood for future use on school grounds. A board of trustees shall seal existing arsenic-treated wood in playground equipment or establish a time line for removing existing arsenic-treated wood on playgrounds, according to the guidelines established under G.S. 115C-12(34).

(33) Exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. - A board of trustees shall adopt rules to reduce students' exposure to diesel emissions.

(34) Nonprofit corporations. - A board of trustees may establish, control, and operate a nonprofit corporation that is created under Chapter 55A of the General Statutes and is a tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code to further their authorized purposes. A nonprofit corporation established as provided in this subdivision shall not have regulatory or enforcement powers and shall not engage in partisan political activity or policy advocacy. A board of trustees that establishes a nonprofit corporation shall make a report annually to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

(35) Preschool programs. - The board of trustees may, within funds available, provide programs, education, and training for children under the age of 5 who are (i) blind or visually impaired or (ii) deaf or hard of hearing, and for the parents of those children.

(36) Rulemaking. - The board of trustees shall be exempt from Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. (2023-10, s. 1; 2023-78, s. 5(a); 2023-134, s. 7.64(d).)