House Bill 11 Summary

• Changes governance of three North Carolina schools (Governor Morehead School for the Blind, North Carolina School for the Deaf, and Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf) from State Board of Education control to independent boards of trustees.

• Each school board consists of five voting members appointed by the General Assembly (four members) and State Board of Education (one member), plus two nonvoting members representing alumni and relevant state agencies.

• Board members must complete 12 clock hours of training every two years on public school law, special education, school finance, and board duties; members receive up to $50 per diem compensation.

• Establishes admission criteria and procedures for schools, including eligibility based on hearing or vision loss, student functional level, parental choice, and ability to participate safely in the school environment; students may be admitted temporarily (up to 90 days) or permanently.

• North Carolina residents receive free tuition and room/board; nonresident and foreign exchange students pay full per capita costs; transition to new governance structure occurs July 1, 2024, with Department of Public Instruction maintaining administrative duties through October 1, 2024.