Public School Matters: Recent Episodes
NC Association of School Administrators
Join the North Carolina Association of School Administrators’ Advocacy Team for a brief and timely discussion on legislation and policy news affecting public schools.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team welcomes Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, NCASA President and Superintendent of Craven County Schools. Drawing on more than 31 years in education, Dr. Cheeseman shares his vision for the future of North Carolina's public schools, and the importance of building strong relationships with policymakers and advancing advocacy efforts. Dr. Cheeseman also offers practical leadership insights on listening, collaboration, and effectively telling the story of public education, making this a must-listen episode for school leaders, educators, and public education advocates.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks withJason Johnson, 2025 NC Principal of the Year and 2026 National High School Principal of the Year. Our hosts discuss the challenges that face Principals, Assistant Principals, and all school administrators. They also talk about advocating with state legislators to raise awareness on issues currently affecting NC Public Schools statewide.
This week our Advocacy Team sits down to have a conversation with NCASA’s Incoming Executive Director, Dr. Travis Reeves. Dr. Reeves, who currently serves as the Superintendent of Surry County Schools, will officially assume the duties of Executive Director on July 1, 2026. In this episode Dr. Reeves shares his thoughts on NCASA, his vision for the organization’s future in supporting school leaders across the state, and efforts to engage members in advocating for strong public schools.
This week the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses the importance of the March 3rd Primary Election with Alex Baltzegar, Executive Director of the NC FreeEnterprise Foundation, also known as NCFree. NCFree’s mission is focused on promoting a free enterprise system through research, education, and political engagement, which includes informative analyses on key races and trends shaping North Carolina elections.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks withDr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent of Person County Schoolsand the2026 Burroughs Wellcome Fund A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, about challenges he and other superintendents are facing in leading public schools.
In this episode our NCASA Advocacy Team takes an important look back at the unprecedented devastation that Hurricane Helene caused in western and northwestern North Carolina in late September 2024, just over a year ago and how it impacted K-12 education in those areas. Special guests for this episode are: Dr. Rob Jackson, Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools; and Dr. Eisa Cox, Superintendent of Ashe County Schools. NCASA's team focuses on how schools and communities in these districts are progressing in recovery, and what additional assistance is needed now and for the future.
CREDITS
Soundbites used in this episode are courtesy of:
- WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC) - NEWS DOCUMENTARY "Helene: What We Lost, What We Found.”
- Education NC Video - “A Long Way Down, the story of Surge.”
The NCASA Advocacy Team talks with Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), about data NCSSA has collected early in the 2025-26 school year that shows vacancies statewide in teaching positions and other staff. They discuss how the vacancies compare to previous years, their impact on students, and strategies for addressing staffing shortages in the future.
In this episode, the NCASA Advocacy Team welcomes Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, Superintendent of Beaufort County Schools and President-Elect of the NCASA Board of Directors; Beckie Spears, Principal of Wilkesboro Elementary School and the 2024 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year; and Kimberly Jones, an English and Humanities teacher for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. Our three guests discuss the excitement of opening the new school year, the current challenges affecting public education from their unique perspectives, and the importance of being a champion for local public schools.
As state lawmakers take a brief break during the long, hot summer, lots of activity is happening in regard to K-12 public education legislation and funding. A recent decision from the U.S. Department of Education to withhold billions of dollars in education funding for states, including $165 million for North Carolina, has district and charter school leaders in crisis-management mode as they try to plan for opening the new year in just a few short weeks. In this episode, our Advocacy Team breaks down these state and federal funding concerns and what they mean for schools and students here in the Tar Heel state.
Additional Content Related To This Episode:
- H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- Attorney General Jeff Jackson Sues To Protect $165 Million For NC Public Schools And Nearly 1,000 NC Educator Jobs (via NC Dept. of Justice)
- District By District, Charter By Charter, Community By Community, Lawsuit Makes Clear The Impact Of Frozen Federal Funds (via EdNC)
This week, NCASA welcomes two guests to help us explain the “Art of Education Advocacy:" Dr. Stephen Fisher, Superintendent of Cleveland County Schools and President-Elect of NCASA’s Board of Directors; and Dr. John Lassiter, Principal of Hertford Grammar School in Perquimans County Schools and the 2025 Wells Fargo Northeast Regional Principal of the Year. Together, along with our host, Katherine Joyce, Executive Director of NCASA, they discuss the importance of education advocacy and how anyone can become a champion for local public schools.
This week our Executive Director, Katherine Joyce, focuses on the challenges our local public schools face as state funding for private school vouchers is at an all-time high. Katherine is joined by Tracy Zimmerman, Vice President for Policy and Strategy at the Neimand Collaborative, a nationally renowned social impact marketing firm, and Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools and NCASA’s Past President. Together they discuss 2024 research on how North Carolinians view public schools and NCASA’s "Champion Our Local Public Schools" campaign to help districts market their schools as a great choice for families.
This week NCASA is honored to speak with the NEW State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Maurice "Mo" Green. He talks about his first month in office and his vision and goals for K-12 education in North Carolina.
This week the NCASA Advocacy Team talks about the latest legislative activity affecting K-12 public schools in North Carolina and provides listeners with an overview of NCASA’s recently-approved legislative and policy priorities for 2025.
To see NCASA's 2025 Legislative Priorities, clickHERE.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team goes over highlights of the 2024 election results and discusses what impact those results could have on the future of K-12 education in North Carolina.
Resources:
- 2024 General Election Results (NC State Board of Elections)
- Handout: 2025 North Carolina Leadership (NCASA)
- Handout: Changes In State Education Leadership Overview (Education Commission of the States)
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team provides an update on NC’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, or “private school vouchers.”For more on this important issue, NCASA members can visit the NCASA Advocacy Centerthat provides a wealth of information and news about this issue and may others affecting K-12 education in our state.
Reference these resources mentioned in this week's podcast:
- Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM): Opportunity Scholarship Impact Analysis (2024)
- NC Governor: Fact Sheet on Private School Vouchers
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks about the upcoming general election and what the results could mean for education in North Carolina. Join us in a few weeks for our episode covering key election results too! For more in-depth analysis from our NCASA Team, see the links below:
- NCASA Governor Candidate Voter Guide
- NCASA State Superintendent Candidate Voter Guide
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses highlights from the final weeks of legislative activity at the North Carolina General Assembly.
It’s the end of the 2024 short session! Or is it?
Bills discussed in this podcast:
NC Senate Bill 332 - 2023 Appropriations Act Changes
NC Senate Bill 357 - Adjustments to 2023 Appropriations Act
NC House Bill 1032 - Academic Transparency
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools and President of NCASA Board of Directors, and Dr. Tony Jackson, Superintendent of Chatham County School System and President of NCSSA Board of Directors, about what issues and challenges “keep them up at night.”
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team takes a deeper dive into the principal pay plan proposal with Donna Bledsoe, the 2023 NC Principal of the Year, and Patrick Greene, the 2022 NC Principal of the Year.
In this episode, our Education Advocacy Team highlights comments from various school superintendents who visited the NC General Assembly to address needs in their respective districts.
In this episode, our Education Advocacy Team recaps the events that took place at the NC General Assembly on May 1st as part ofPrincipals’ Appreciation and Advocacy Day. The event, co-hosted by NCASAand the NC Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA), provided an opportunity for principals from around the state to visit the state legislature and discuss issues affecting principals’ roles in K-12 public education.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses legislative priorities and expected hot topics in education for the 2024 North Carolina legislative short session beginning on April 24.
This week, Elizabeth Yelverton, NCASA Legal Affairs & Policy Manager, is joined by Tara Thomas, Policy Analyst, AASA, for an update on the latest federal education news.
Follow Tara Thomas on X (formerly known as Twitter) @TaraEThomas1or get up to date information at the national level by reading The Leading Edge: Policy & Advocacy Blog. You can also listen to her on AASA’s PEP Talk (Public Education Policy) Podcast.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses current legislative and policy hot topics in North Carolina’s education system.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team shares highlights of the long-awaited 2023 state budget package and is joined by North Carolina arts educator and state Representative Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes).
As the NC Legislative Long Session continues, there are plenty of K-12 Education Budget issues on the table! This week our NCASA Advocacy Team does a deep dive into the items that affect K-12 education in our state the most as they go over the highlights of the North Carolina House and Senate’s state budget proposals for 2023-2025. We also include our latest breakdown of this year's budget priorities linked below:
- Public School Budget Priorities For 2023-2024
This week, NCASA’s Advocacy Team reflects on the impact of our recent Education Leader Day at the Legislature that took place on April 18th. Our team provides analysis on priorities outlined by lawmakers in attendance: Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance); Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston); and Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons (D-Guilford). The podcast also includes insights from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt as well as key takeaways from members on what took place during their visit to the General Assembly.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team goes over the highlights of the first month of session at the NC General Assembly, including an overview of key K-12 education legislation filed so far.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team shares their 2023 Legislative & Policy Priorities after the NC General Assembly opened on January 11, 2023. For more information on NCASA's 2023 Legislative Priorities, visit our website at: https://ncasa.net/ncasa-legislative-priorities/
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team is on the case — NC CASE that is! The Team is joined by Christy Grant, President of the NC Council of Administrators of Special Education (NCCASE), an NCASA affiliate organization, and Executive Director of Special Education and Student Support Services in Nash County Public Schools, as well as Jill McKenna, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Services in Wake County Public Schools, on ways to support our students with special needs in our public schools.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team goes over key take-aways from the 2022 mid-term elections and predicts what effect these results will have on public education in North Carolina.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Ken Derksen, President of the NC School Public Relations Association (NCSPRA), an NCASA affiliate organization, on how NC public schools not only “talk the talk” but also “walk the walk.”
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks about the upcoming mid-term elections and what the results could mean for education in North Carolina. In addition, read the recent article from EdNC, entitled “The Politics of North Carolina’s School Boards," which discusses the impact this election will have on school boards throughout our state. Join us in a few weeks for our episode covering key election results too!
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Marlon Watson, Transportation Director for Johnston County Schools and President of the NC Pupil Transportation Association (NCPTA); and Brian McClung, Transportation Director of Rutherford County Schools; about challenges school districts are facing in securing and retaining enough bus drivers, mechanics, and other personnel in this new school year.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Dr. Patrick Greene,2022 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year, and Mr. Tabari Wallace, 2018 Principal of the Year and State Superintendent’s Special Advisor for Principal Engagement, about recent concerns on a scheduled pay cut for some principals in NC, solutions approved by the State Board of Education, and additional salary schedule changes needed to recruit and retain NC’s best school leaders.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Mr. Jack Hoke, Executive Director of the NC School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA), on the new school year, school administrator turnover, and the importance of strong school leadership.
This week the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Dr. Patrick Miller, Chairman of NC’s Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC), and 2020 NC Teacher of the Year Maureen Stover about the proposed “Pathways to Excellence For Teaching Professionals*” model that PEPSC is now developing. The model, if ultimately adopted, could hold major reforms for teacher compensation and licensure.
There is still time to have your concerns addressed about this valuable model. Email your feedback to: pathways.feedback@dpi.nc.gov*.
State lawmakers have reached an agreement on a state budget package for 2022-2023. Join the NCASA Advocacy Team for highlights of what it holds for public schools and their personnel. Click below for references to this podcast:
- NC House Bill 103
- NCASA 2022 State Budget Summary
This week the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with Dr. Shirley Prince, Executive Director of the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA), about principals’ reflections on the school year that just ended and priorities they have for 2022-23.
This week the NCASA Advocacy Team speaks with North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt on the school year that just ended, lessons learned, and what’s next for public education in North Carolina.
Legislation rolled out the week of June 6th proposes new parameters for virtual academies operated by NC school districts and also addresses remote instruction days in the school calendar and other K-12 policy topics. Join NCASA’s Advocacy Team for a closer look at these bills and their next steps.
References:
- NC House Bill 79
- NC House Bill 159
- NC Senate Bill 671
State lawmakers are already busy drafting a state budget proposal for 2022-2023. Join NCASA’s Advocacy Team for a look at the likely path for this spending bill and the key funding priorities they are hoping the General Assembly will include in it for public schools.
This week, the NCASA Advocacy Team discusses House Bill 755: Parents’ Bill of Rights, which was introduced in the state legislature last week and passed in the Senate this week. Make sure to hit subscribe to stay in the loop!
This week Katherine and Elizabeth look at North Carolina's recent primary elections and the impact they already hold for determining control of the 2023 General Assembly.
This initial podcast introduces you to our hosts, NCASA’s Executive Director Katherine Joyce and Elizabeth Yelverton, NCASA Legal Affairs & Policy Manager. Together, they make up NCASA's Advocacy Team and will update you on current education legislation and policy actions in North Carolina. We hope you will tune in weekly as they share timely information on Public School Matters.