NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee Launches its New Blog

Welcome to the first post of our Legislative and Public Policy Update blog! First, let us introduce ourselves. Chris Tufts and Carol Vatz co-chair the NCSPA Legislative and Public Policy Committee. We work closely with NCSPA's lobbyist, Steve Shaber. Here is a quick summary of what we've been doing lately. Feel free to comment and ask questions!

Carol, Marge Foreman (lobbyist for NCAE) and Steve met with Rep. Michaux to discuss a bill to provide percentage pay increases (5 and 10) for specialist and doctoral level educators. Chris, Marge and Steve met with Sen. Swindell to discuss facts about the bill. Rep. Rapp has agreed to introduce a bill if needed. Steve has also talked to Sen. Rand. Steve and Marge are working hard to contact all of the representatives and senators whom they feel are key to getting this approved. There is no real opposition and most legislators easily see this as an equity issue. The short session will begin in May. We believe we are getting closer to having equity pay be a reality!

Chris, Carol, Sarah Greene (NCSPA President) and Laurie Bober (NCSPA President Elect) met with Teresa Smith (Student Support Services) at DPI. The group discussed Teresa's role as well as expressing an interest in collaborating with her more in the future. The possibility of getting a full-time school psychologist position at DPI was also a topic of discussion. We advocated for including “school psychologist” in the job description of a possible full time position opening at DPI. We also discussed the Performance Appraisal Instrument (PAI) for school psychologists. Development and revision of the instrument is a long circumscribed process. Teresa expressed an interest in obtaining articles from school psychologists for her Student Support Services newsletter. A form for submission will be available on the NCSPA website.

Steve will monitor the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee meetings in light of our agenda and contact Chris and Carol as issues that we are interested in appear.

A School Based Mental Health Summit will take place in Raleigh on May 16th. We will give you a summary following the meeting.

Carol and Chris are working on the Legislative and Public Policy Fall Conference workshop presentation.