H 264 - NC School of Biotechnology and Agriscience

• Establishes the North Carolina School of Biotechnology and Agriscience as a public high school located at the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center, offering STEM-focused curriculum with emphasis on biotechnology and agriscience.

• Serves students from Chowan, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties with maximum enrollment of 100 students per grade level; prioritizes first-generation college students in admissions and uses lottery system if more eligible students apply than seats available.

• Creates a Board of Directors composed of representatives from local boards of education, superintendents, business community members, parents, and higher education partners including NC State University and community colleges.

• Requires school to comply with state education standards, health and safety requirements, and special education laws while providing credits toward community college or university degrees.

• Allocates state funding based on average per-pupil amounts from participating units plus supplemental funding for special education and limited English proficiency students; participating units must provide transportation and Washington County Schools provides food services.