HB 1079: Sound Basic Education for Every Child

• Appropriates $153.5 million in recurring funds to increase teacher salaries for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, with a base monthly salary of $3,625 for starting teachers and supplemental pay for advanced degrees and certifications.

• Establishes the Office of Equity Affairs within the Department of Public Instruction with a Deputy Superintendent and staff to provide oversight on sound basic education compliance and educator workforce diversity.

• Expands teacher recruitment and preparation through $4.7 million for the NC Teaching Fellows Program (490 additional candidates), $6 million for recruitment bonuses in low-performing schools, and $5 million for teacher residency programs.

• Increases funding for school support personnel including $20 million for teacher assistants, $40 million for instructional support personnel (counselors, social workers, psychologists), and $19 million for the District and Regional Support model for low-performing schools.

• Invests $41.9 million to expand the NC Pre-K program toward serving 75% of eligible 4-year-olds by 2028 and $26 million to increase early childhood educator compensation through wage supplement programs.