T. Keung Hui

Raleigh

I'm a K-12 education reporter for @newsobserver. I also tweet about history, baseball & science fiction. Retweets aren’t endorsements -- unless about @Yankees.

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Articles

More than 1 in 3 Wake schools have lost instructional time due to HVAC issues

4 days ago | newsobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

More than 1 in 3 Wake schools lost class time from HVAC failures since 2023. Wake County plans to raise maintenance spending and reclassify staff pay. Deferred maintenance exceeds $600M, with HVAC issues driving emergency fixes. Wake County school leaders are hoping to wean the public off the expectation that schools will close due to HVAC issues after dozens of schools have lost instructional time since 2023.
Wake may change calendars for some schools. Here are which ones.

6 days ago | newsobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

Wake schools may shift calendars for 3 campuses; changes considered by 2027. Oakview Elementary may adopt a multi-track year-round model to ease crowding. Under-enrolled Raleigh schools could switch to traditional calendars due to low growth. More Wake County schools could see calendar conversions that change schedules for students, parents and school employees.
Why protesters gathered in downtown Raleigh

1 week ago | newsobserver.com | Sophia Bailly |T. Keung Hui

Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I'm Sophia Bailly. Here's a rundown of the buzz and bustle around the Legislature. Rep. Julie von Haefen apologized Tuesday evening on the floor of the state House of Representatives for a social media post that drew backlash and calls for her resignation. On Saturday, the day of No Kings anti-Trump protests around the country, the Apex Democrat posted a video with an image of a protester holding what appeared to be a beheaded President Trump.
JoCo hires new school superintendent

1 week ago | newsobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

David Pearce speaks to the Johnston County school board at the June 10, 2025 school board meeting. He will start as superintendent on July1.
Gay pride flags could be banned from schools in this NC district

1 week ago | newsobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

The Johnston County school board is considering new limits on what can be displayed in schools following complaints that some teachers have displayed rainbow pride flags in their classrooms. Johnston County may ban pride flags and remove LGBTQ+ references in policy. School board cites complaints, federal funding threats, and political pressure. Opponents argue changes weaken protections and target specific student groups.
NC lawmakers lowered high school graduation standards. What are the consequences?

2 weeks ago | charlotteobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

Members of the Knightdale High School Class of 2014 make their way up the steps into the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts' Memorial Auditorium in downtown Raleigh for their graduation ceremony Tuesday, June 10, 2014. newsobserver.com State law now caps high school graduation at 22 credits, easing early exits. Roughly 10,000 students graduated early in 2025, raising preparedness concerns. School districts face funding losses as early graduations reduce enrollment.
NC lawmakers lowered high school graduation standards. What are the consequences?

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | T. Keung Hui

Tens of thousands of North Carolina high school students are getting their diplomas this month, but state education leaders are worried some graduates are under-prepared due to state lawmakers lowering graduation requirements. This school year marked the first time that a state law went into effect barring school districts from mandating more courses than what North Carolina requires for a high school diploma.
Teachers banned from using cellphones in class in this NC school district

2 weeks ago | newsobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

Johnston County bans cellphone use in class for both students and teachers. The policy was approved in a 5-2 vote by school board members. Teachers criticize policy as overreaching and harmful to staff autonomy. Johnston County will crack down on cellphone use in class - for teachers as well as students. The Johnston County school board approved a new wireless communication devices policy this week that prohibits both students and teachers from using their cellphones in class.
Want to be a teacher? NC lawmakers could require you to pass a criminal check

2 weeks ago | newsobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

Legislation in the NC House would rrequire people applying for a teaching license to be fingerprinted and receive a criminal records check Getty Images/iStockphoto House Bill 775 mandates criminal checks for public school job applicants. Teaching license applicants must submit fingerprints for state review. Applicants may bear background check costs; private schools remain exempt.
More NC students are attending charter schools. But not all counties benefit

2 weeks ago | newsobserver.com | T. Keung Hui

Mounir Chisholm, a senior at Sugar Creek Charter School, helps put up decorations leading up to the surprise announcement of the Charter School Teacher of the Year award in Charlotte, NC on Friday, January 6, 2023. Ryan Henderson was awarded the honor and has been teaching for 11 years.