Proposal to Provide Additional School Calendar Flexibility Clears NC Senate
Bill allows earlier school start date and imposes penalties for districts that break the law
Sen. Berger: 'It's time for us to put this school calendar debate to rest'
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the N.C. Senate approved a bill to provide local school districts additional flexibility to set their academic calendars and implement penalties to hold school district officials accountable if they break the law.
The bill, sponsored by Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and Sens. Amy Galey (R-Alamance) and Michael Lee (R-New Hanover), garnered a bipartisan vote of 39-7.
"It's time for us to put this school calendar debate to rest," Sen. Berger said. "Stakeholders have come together to find a workable proposal for students, families, and local businesses. This was no small task, and I'm glad to see this bill pass the Senate with bipartisan support."
Senate Bill 754, "School Calendar Flexibility: A New Alternative," allows school districts two options for starting the school year. It retains the current school calendar law — starting school no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and ending no later than the Friday closest to June 11 — and a new option to begin no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 19 and ending no later than the Friday before the last Monday in May.
Beyond the additional flexibility, the bill would implement new compliance measures and penalties for school districts that still decide to defy the calendar law.
"This compromise will make a real difference for school districts across the state. It provides school districts with additional flexibility to meet their local needs while also holding them accountable if they openly defy the law," Sen. Galey said. "That's why we've seen local elected leaders from small and large school districts come out in support of this bill."
Under this proposal, the Superintendent of Public Instruction would be required to report and investigate any violations of the law to the State Board of Education. If the local school board is found to be noncompliant, the State Board of Education is required to direct the local board to remedy the violation. If the local board doesn't address the violation, then its central office funding will be withheld until it becomes compliant.
Additionally, any person who lives or owns a business within the local school district boundary would be able to sue the local school board if it defies the school calendar law.
"For years, I've heard from local education leaders and business owners about the impacts of North Carolina's school calendar law, and it became clear that there was a pathway to address their concerns," Sen. Lee said. "Senate Bill 754 strikes the right balance between providing an alternative opening date for school districts and supporting our local businesses that rely on summer tourism."
The bill now goes to the N.C. House of Representatives for consideration.
