HB 885 - Sound Basic Education for Every Child

• Teacher Workforce Development: Appropriates $654.8 million for teacher salary increases, $11.3 million for NC Teaching Fellows program expansion, and funding for teacher preparation programs, recruitment bonuses, and support initiatives to recruit and retain quality educators.

• School Leadership & Administration: Provides $28.4 million for principal salary increases, establishes a School Leadership Academy, expands the Principal Fellows program with $13.2 million, and funds assistant principal positions and central office staff.

• Education Funding & Resources: Allocates $168.4 million for children with disabilities, $60.2 million for limited English proficiency students, establishes teacher assistant and instructional support allotments, and authorizes a $2 billion education bond for school facilities with voter approval.

• Early Childhood Education: Appropriates $108 million to expand NC Pre-K program toward 100% funding by 2028, funds child care subsidies, infant-toddler services, and home visiting programs to improve early learning access.

• Student Support & Accountability: Funds community schools ($44.9 million), college advising programs ($3 million), career development coordinators ($10 million), school meal programs, and adjusts school accountability weighting to emphasize student growth alongside achievement.