Article updated at Thursday, March 11. to include Senate and House proceedings and governor’s signing.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican lawmakers have reached an agreement on reopening public schools for in-person instruction under a compromise plan that returns most decision-making autonomy to local school boards.
The state Senate voted 49-0 to approve the measure after less than 10 minutes of debate. The House on Thursday, March 11, also passed the bill in a unanimous vote. Cooper signed it Thursday night.
The new measure, Senate Bill 220, was a major victory for parents, students, and General Assembly lawmakers committed to getting students back into the classroom, House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said Thursday.