Bill > H671

This bill establishes a Competitive Speech and Debate Team Grant Pilot Program in North Carolina, running from the 2025-2026 to 2028-2029 school years, with the goal of enabling public high schools to form and support speech and debate teams. Any public school unit with high schools (grades 9-12) can apply to the Department of Public Instruction for grants up to $10,000 per team annually, which can be used for coach stipends (up to $2,500 for a lead coach and $1,500 for an assistant coach), competition league fees, and travel expenses. Schools receiving grants must participate in the Tarheel Forensic League and National Speech and Debate Association. If a student's school doesn't have a speech and debate team, they can join the closest school's team, subject to standard extracurricular participation guidelines. The Department will develop application criteria by August 1 each year, accept applications by September 30, award grants by October 31, and submit an annual report detailing grant recipients, fund usage, and students' academic performance improvements. The state will appropriate $500,000 in nonrecurring funds per fiscal year to support the program, which becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H671