Media representatives are invited to participate in a virtual meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Student Safety and Wellbeing scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2026. The council was established by Governor Josh Stein through an executive order.
Purpose of the Council
The main goal of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Student Safety and Wellbeing is to advance North Carolina’s commitment to maintaining safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools. The council aims to propose and implement solutions that enhance school safety and improve students’ physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. It is involved in making recommendations, providing guidance to various state agencies, collaborating with local communities, and sharing best practices.
For instance, to assist school systems in developing and enforcing local policies that promote mobile phone-free environments, the council released the Guide to Best Practices for North Carolina Public Schools in June 2025. This guide outlines applicable policies regarding the use of personal communication devices and can be accessed through a provided link.
Leadership of the Council
The council is chaired by Senator Sydney Batch, the Democratic leader in the Senate; Heather Smith, the 2024 North Carolina Teacher of the Year from Haywood County; and William L. Lassiter, Deputy Secretary of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The meeting will be streamed live, and access can be obtained via a designated link. Public comments will also be accepted online through an alternate link.
Meeting Details
Event: Governor’s Advisory Council on Student Safety and Wellbeing
Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location: Online, accessible via a streaming link.
For the agenda, please refer to the provided link.
For further inquiries, contact Matthew Debnam at matthew.debnam@ncdps.gov.
Source: N.C. Department of Public Safety. Photo: N.C. Department of Public Safety.
