House Bill 523 would expand eligibility for education-based salary supplements for school social workers in North Carolina. Under current law, certain school personnel can receive the “M” salary schedule or other supplements tied to advanced academic degrees, but the bill would make school social workers eligible for those supplements even when a master’s degree is not required for their licensure. The bill also preserves eligibility for school social workers who already qualify under existing categories tied to prior State Board policy, and it directs that the relevant statute, G.S. 115C-302.10, be rewritten to reflect the change.
The bill appropriates $500,000 in recurring General Fund money to the Department of Public Instruction for fiscal year 2025-2026 to implement the salary supplement expansion. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. In practical terms, it would increase state education spending and broaden the pool of school social workers eligible for state-funded pay supplements, affecting local school systems, the Department of Public Instruction, and covered personnel.
HB523 would amend G.S. 115C-302.10, the statute governing qualifications for certain education-based salary supplements, by adding school social workers to the list of personnel eligible for advanced-degree pay supplements regardless of whether a master’s degree is required for licensure. The bill also appropriates recurring funds from the General Fund to DPI to support the expanded eligibility, thereby creating an ongoing state budget obligation beginning in FY 2025-2026.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be presented as a targeted compensation measure for school social workers rather than a controversial policy change. The sponsorship and framing suggest support for recognizing advanced education among school social workers and aligning pay with professional qualifications. No formal opposition or recorded vote history is included in the materials provided.
The main policy issue embedded in the bill is whether school social workers should receive master’s-level salary supplements even when their licensure does not require a master’s degree. Supporters would likely view the bill as a pay equity and recruitment/retention measure for a critical school support profession, while any concerns would likely focus on the recurring fiscal cost and whether the supplement should be tied to licensure requirements rather than job function or degree attainment. No specific objections, amendments, or opposing arguments are included in the provided context.