NC H639

Establishes the Superintendent of Public Instruction as the administrative head with control over Department of Public Instruction staff, except for four specific positions appointed by the State Board of Education (Attorney I, Attorney II, Paralegal II, and Administrative Assistant I).

Prohibits the State Board of Education from using state funds to employ private counsel for litigation, limiting legal services to permanent budgeted positions in the Department of Justice or Department of Public Instruction.

Creates a new general counsel division within the Department of Public Instruction to manage all legal affairs and provide legal services to support the State Board of Education.

Eliminates two positions (Attorney II, position 60009384 and Legislative and Community Affairs Director, position 60009394) with $276,001 in savings, allocating up to $115,000 to establish a full-time Rules Coordinator position by July 1, 2019.

Repeals Section 7.18(b) of Session Law 2017-57 and becomes effective when signed into law.