NC S448

Establishes a $650 monthly salary supplement for school psychologists in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with an additional 12% monthly supplement for those holding National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credentials, funded with $8.1 million in recurring appropriations.

Creates a School Psychologists Grant Program providing signing bonuses up to $5,000 to recruit school psychologists, with priority given to school units without full-time school psychologists, funded with $1.7 million in recurring appropriations.

Requires the Department of Public Instruction to permanently reclassify at least one position by September 1, 2023 to serve as a full-time school psychologist recruitment and retention coordinator focused on recruiting from other states.

Establishes an internship program providing up to 10-month stipends at beginning school psychologist salary for approved full-time school psychology program participants, with field supervisors eligible for $500 to $1,200 lump sum supplements, funded with $5 million in recurring appropriations.

Appropriates $5 million in nonrecurring funds to Appalachian State University to host a virtual school psychology training program in Hickory and $1.6 million in recurring funds to five UNC institutions (Appalachian State, East Carolina, NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, Western Carolina) to double school psychologist program output.