Day 1 - Bi-Annual Planning and Work Session - State Board of Education - May 5, 2026

The North Carolina State Board of Education held a bi-annual planning and work session on May 5, 2026, focusing extensively on the integration and management of educational technology across the state's public schools. Key procurement-related discussions included the management of statewide contracts for digital infrastructure, cybersecurity services, student information systems, and digital learning platforms such as Canvas and Microsoft Education licensing. The board emphasized the importance of consortium purchasing to leverage the scale of 1.5 million students to reduce costs and ensure equitable access to technology resources across all school districts. They also discussed the challenges of maintaining one-to-one device ratios amid funding constraints and the need for ongoing professional development and support for educators to effectively use technology without increasing workload or burnout. The session included presentations on digital learning plans, screen time guidelines, AI literacy, and remote learning academies, highlighting the state's commitment to balancing innovation with student well-being and instructional quality. The board underscored the critical role of contracts in providing reliable access, security, and support, and the importance of continuous evaluation of return on investment and technology impact on teaching and learning outcomes.