Bill
HB 304
Authorizes a CTE-focused Trades High School in Iredell-Statesville (grades 10-12) with an alternate 22-credit Trades Diploma and staffing flexibilities, effective 2025-26.
Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: Mar 5, 2025 (House)
Effective date / Application: Effective when law; applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year
Purpose
- Authorizes the Iredell‑Statesville Schools Board of Education to operate one designated Trades High School focused primarily on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and to grant an alternate "Trades Diploma" to graduates who meet locally established criteria.
Key provisions and changes
- Authorization: Permits one school within the Iredell‑Statesville School Administrative Unit to operate as a "Trades High School" serving grades 10–12. The school otherwise operates under Chapter 115C of the North Carolina General Statutes except for the specific flexibilities in this act.
- Statutory exemptions: The Trades High School is exempt from:
- Part 1 of Article 8 of Chapter 115C, and
- Part 1D of Article 8 of Chapter 115C.
- Staffing and employment flexibility:
- The local board may employ and set terms for new or renewed contracts for school administrators and teachers assigned to the Trades High School (except for teachers employed under G.S. 115C‑325).
- At least 50% of teachers in the school must hold North Carolina teacher licenses.
- Teachers of core academic subjects (mathematics, science, social studies, language arts) must be college graduates.
- The school may hire non‑licensed employees for non‑teaching roles and may contract for services.
- Training requirement for non‑licensed instructors:
- Any teacher hired at the Trades High School who is not state‑licensed must complete preservice training (via educator prep program or local unit) before beginning instruction, covering:
- Identification and education of children with disabilities;
- Positive management of student behavior;
- Effective communication for defusing/de‑escalating disruptive or dangerous behavior;
- Safe and appropriate use of seclusion and restraint.
- Trades Diploma:
- The Iredell‑Statesville Schools Board shall develop criteria for an alternative "Trades Diploma."
- Students must earn at least 22 credits to receive the Trades Diploma.
- The board must submit the Trades Diploma requirements to the State Board of Education before the first school year in which diplomas will be offered.
Who is affected
- Primary: students (grades 10–12) in the Iredell‑Statesville district who enroll in the Trades High School.
- Others: Iredell‑Statesville Board of Education (policy and program design), local school administrators and teachers (hiring and contract terms), State Board of Education (receives diploma requirements), and community employers/CTE partners.
Procedural/timeline notes
- The act takes effect upon becoming law and explicitly applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.
- The local board must file its Trades Diploma requirements with the State Board of Education prior to offering the diploma in the first year of operation.
Potential implications (high level)
- Increases local control and flexibility to create a CTE‑focused high school and alternate diploma pathway tailored to workforce and trades education.
- Preserves minimum educator qualifications (50% licensed; college‑educated core teachers) while allowing targeted use of industry or non‑licensed instructors subject to required preservice training.
- May affect local budgeting, staffing, and partnerships with employers and postsecondary CTE providers (not specified in the bill).
For further details, consult the full bill text (Session Law/House Bill 304, 2025) and any implementing policies issued by the Iredell‑Statesville Schools Board of Education and the State Board of Education.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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