Directs the North Carolina Virtual Pubic School (NCVPS) program to report to the State Board of Education (SBE) and to maintain an administrative office at the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Requires the NCVPS Director to ensure that students residing in rural and low-wealth counties’ local school administrative units have access to e-learning course offerings and directs that the instructional opportunities are to include courses required as part of the standard course of study for high school graduation and Advance Placement (AP) offerings not otherwise available. Delineates the steps that the SBE is to take to implement an allotment formula for NCVPS beginning with the 2011-12 school year. Repeals Section 7.4 (NCVPS allotment formula) of SL 2010-31.
Directs the SBE to consider recommendations from the e-Learning Commission and the NCVPS Advisory Board in establishing the fee structure and payment structure for NCVPS. Requires the SBE to develop a separate per student fee structure adjusted upward from the in-state student fee structure by an amount determined appropriate by the SBE for students who are out-of-state, home-schooled, or attending private schools. Directs NCVPS to develop and submit to the SBE by September 1, 2011, a revenue-generating plan for selling courses to out-of-state educational entities.
Provides annual reporting requirements to the SBE and additional duties for the Director of NCVPS, and includes requirements directing the SBE to report by April 15, 2011, on its implementation of this section to the Governor’s office, the Office of State Budget and Management, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division.
Directs the SBE to reduce average daily membership (ADM) dollar allotments on the basis of ADM in grades 6-12 to provide $836,000 for the state-level operations of NCVPS for the 2011-12 fiscal year. Requires that the total fee be adjusted annually based on the percentage growth in NCVPS enrollment, ensuring the expansion of services due to increased virtual student enrollment.
Permanently transfers funds appropriated for Learn and Earn Online to be used for the following purposes: (1) $2,030,923 for NCVPS administrative salaries and benefits; and (2) the remainder to be used as an NCVPS enrollment reserve ensuring that all NC students have access to NCVPS. Directs the SBE to set guidelines for using the enrollment reserve.
Amends GS 66-58(c) to provide that its provisions regarding the sale of merchandise or services by governmental units do not prohibit the sale by the SBE of NCVPS courses to home schools, private schools, and out-of-state educational entities.
Effective July 1, 2011.