Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes more flexibility within school calendars, and hold school district officials accountable for breaking the law in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Authorizes local Boards of Education to have more flexibility in adopting their school calendars in North Carolina (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the opening date of schools to be no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26th, and the closing date to be no later than the Friday closest to June 11th (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the State Board of Education may authorize a local board to set an opening date no earlier than the Monday closest to August 19th in certain circumstances, as long as the following requirements are met (Sec. 1):

• There is an equal number of days in the fall and spring semesters; and

• The closing date is no later than the Friday immediately before the last Monday in May.

• Authorizes the local board to change the closing date if a school experiences closures due to severe weather, energy shortages, power outages, or emergencies, with approval from the State Board of Education (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that if it is determined that a local board has not complied with the provisions of this bill, it may be charged with a civil penalty of up to $10,000 (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall apply beginning with the 2026-2027 school year (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text