Government Relations


Legislative Updates

August 9, 2010
Gene Causby, NCSCA Lobbyist
Cecil Coates & Stephen Kennedy, NCSCA Government Relations
 
The U.S. Senate has passed the final version of the Federal Education Jobs Fund. The U.S. House is projected to pass the final version of this bill.  North Carolina should receive $300M that is likely to be distributed by ADM.
 
This money may be used for compensation and benefits to retain existing employees, to recall former employees, and new employees.
 
On another matter, it appears that the federal government will come through with at least most of the money to assist states with Medicare.  This means that most of the items in the state budget, that would adjust the budget in the event the money was not appropriated, will not be implemented.


Download the May 28 update, which includes budget recommendations from the House Appropriation Sub-Committees.  The Sub-Committees recommended no cuts in funding for school counselors and other instructional support personnel!  The House is scheduled to finalize their budget next week.

In early June, the NC House of Representatives will vote on their version of the budget.  Click here to download a sample letter and learn how to contact your representative.

Click here for the May 20 update, which outlines the budget that was passed by the North Carolina Senate.  The Senate proposed a 5 million dollar cut for instructional support personnel.

Click here for the May 5 update, which describes changes to House and Senate membership and a recent vote about the Graduation Project.

Download an update about Governor Perdue's proposed budget for 2010-2010.  The Governor's budget recommends a 7.1 million dollar cut for instructional support personnel, including school counselors.

Click here for a timeline of the upcoming 2010 Legislative Session, provided by our lobbyist Gene Causby.
 


ASCA Advocacy and Public Policy Institute 


A delegation from NCSCA participated in the American School Counselor Association’s annual Advocacy and Public Policy Institute (APPI) on March 7 – 9, 2010 in Washington, DC. 

Click here to download our report, including information about our visits to Capitol Hill.
 
Click here to read minutes from the ASCA content sessions on current legislation that will affect school counselors.
 
Read about the first hearing on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act: Page 1, Page 2
 


North Carolina School Counselor Association
Legislative Agenda
2009-2010


Pay Scale
Support a school counselor salary schedule salary schedule equal to that of school psychologists, speech pathologists and audiologist.  This new school counselor salary schedule would begin at 5 steps above the present salary schedule.

Protection Of Counselor Time
Protect a minimum of 80% of school counselor’s time for direct service to students.

Ratio
Support the ratio of 250 students to one school counselor as recommended by the American Counseling Association, the National School Health Association and the Institute of Medicine.

Test Coordinator
Support a measure that ensures that a school counselor is not placed in the role to test coordinator, thus protecting school counselor’s time.

Advanced Certification Compensation
Support additional compensation for school counselors with advanced degrees or national school counselor certifications.

Note:  Every two years our association surveys its member to determine the significant items that will steer our legislative agenda.  Members are surveyed at our fall conference.