Executive Order 13: Establishing The Governor’s Advisory Council For Student Safety And Well-Being
EO13-EstablishingAdvisoryCouncilforStudentSafetyandWell-Being.pdf
April 7, 2025
Executive Order No. 13
Establishing The Governor’s Advisory Council For Student Safety And Well-Being
Whereas, protecting the next generation of North Carolinians is a shared priority for the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, our North Carolina students deserve to attend schools that support their well-being, whether physical, social, or emotional; and
Whereas, student well-being is critical to student academic success and the development of our youth in becoming productive, contributing North Carolinians; and
Whereas, students are navigating new complexities that challenge their well-being; and
Whereas, members of the General Assembly have signaled their support for student well-being by proposing legislation that limits the use of wireless devices including cell phones during classroom instruction; and
Whereas, school districts across the state have proposed and implemented policies to support student well-being by limiting the use of wireless devices including cell phones during classroom instruction; and
Whereas, school districts may benefit from guidance about evidence-based best practices regarding students’ use of wireless communication devices in schools when developing their policies; and
Whereas, experts and stakeholders from across the state are well positioned to provide such guidance that is informed by engagement with students, school staff, and parents; and
Whereas, it is the collective responsibility of educational, health, public safety, and state and local leadership to identify solutions and support that can be implemented in our schools for responding to student needs; and
Whereas, the creation of an advisory council demonstrates and will advance North Carolina’s commitment to safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools that promote student safety and well-being; and
Whereas, pursuant to Article III of the North Carolina Constitution and N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 143A-4 and 143B-4, the Governor is the chief executive officer of the state and is responsible for formulating and administering the policies of the executive branch of state government; and
Whereas, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 147-12, the Governor has the authority and the duty to supervise the official conduct of all executive and ministerial officers.
Now, Therefore, the authority vested in the undersigned as Governor by the Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina, It Is Ordered:
Section 1. Establishment and Purpose.
The Governor’s Advisory Council for Student Safety & Well-Being (“Advisory Council”) is hereby established. The mission of the Advisory Council is to propose and further implement solutions to promote school safety and improve student physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Section 2. Membership.
The Advisory Council shall be comprised of no more than thirty (30) members, including chair(s). All members shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at his pleasure. Advisory Council members shall serve a term of two (2) years and may be appointed to successive terms[AE5] . The Governor shall select the chair or co-chairs to lead the Advisory Council.
Members should represent the geographic, economic, and demographic diversity of North Carolina, and shall include representatives from the following groups :
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
- North Carolina Department of Human and Health Services
- North Carolina Department of Public Safety
- North Carolina Judicial Branch
- North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
- North Carolina Superintendent of the Year
- North Carolina State Principal of the Year
- North Carolina State Teacher of the Year
- School Counselor
- School Nurse
- School Psychologist
- School Social Worker
- North Carolina PTA Representative
- Parent of a Public School Student
- North Carolina School Boards Association
- Local School Board Member
- School Resource Officer
- Youth-serving Behavioral Health Provider
- State Board of Education Member
- NC Justice Academy / Attorney General
- Juvenile Justice
- School Safety Director
- School Board Attorney
- North Carolina General Assembly
- Other appropriate representatives from local and state government, academic institutions, research or advocacy groups, etc.
Section 3. Duties.
The Advisory Council shall work across agencies and with both state and local leaders to propose and implement policies and solutions that will improve school safety and student well-being. The Advisory Council will advance recommendations by providing guidance to state agencies, working with local communities, convening stakeholders, and sharing best practices. The Advisory Council is expected to continue to consult with education, mental health, security, and law enforcement experts with experiences relevant to the Advisory Council’s mission.
The first duty of the Advisory Council is to recommend best practices for public school units in drafting and implementing policies for student wireless communication devices, including cell phones. In drafting the best practices, the Advisory Council will consider appropriate exceptions to include educational, medical, and instructional needs. The Advisory Council shall recommend appropriate communication with stakeholders, including parents, teachers, staff, and students, and considerations for resources needed to implement such policies.
Additionally, the Advisory Council will address issues related to student physical, social, and emotional well-being with an emphasis on, but not limited to the following areas:
- Prevention of acts of school violence, including improvements to campus security and implementation of safe gun storage awareness
- Examination of behavioral health issues confronting students, including self-harm and substance misuse, and identification of supports needed to address these challenges.
- Review of and recommendations for improving student physical health, including access to physical activity in school and free school meals.
- Audit and recommendations for supporting, recruiting, and retaining School Health
Personnel and School Resource Officers
The Advisory Council shall provide advice and guidance on any other matter the Governor refers to the Advisory Council.
Section 4. Meetings and Deliverables.
The Advisory Council shall meet quarterly and at the call of the Chair or the Governor. A simple majority of the Advisory Council members shall constitute quorum to transact business. The Advisory Council’s meetings shall be governed by the North Carolina Open Meetings Laws, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.9, et seq.
The Advisory Council will produce a best-practices guide for use in implementing policies for wireless communication devices including cell phones for North Carolina public school units by no later than June 3, 2025.
The Advisory Council shall submit a report describing Advisory Council’s activities and recommendations to the Governor annually in December of each year. The December 2025 report will include a section summarizing implementation efforts by public school units in implementing wireless communication policies.
Section 5. Administration.
The Advisory Council shall serve without compensation but may receive per diem allowance and reimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with state law and Office of State Budget and Management policies and regulations.
The Advisory Council shall be staffed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Section 6. Effective Date.
This Executive Order is effective immediately. It shall remain in effect until April 7, 2027, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-16.2, or until rescinded.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capital in the City of Raleigh, this 7th of April in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-five.
Josh Stein
Governor
Attest:
Elaine F. Marshall
Secretary of State
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