The Senate Education/Higher Education Committee on Wednesday amended and approved SB 754: School Calendar Flexibility; A New Alternative. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham; Amy Galey, R-Alamance; and Michael Lee, R-New Hanover, keeps intact the current school calendar law but also provides a new option allowing LEAs to start their instructional year no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 19.

The main change the committee made to the bill was to have it take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, rather than 2025-2026. This is to accommodate calendars that have already been set and shared with families for next school year, and according to Sen. Galey, also to give roughly 30 school districts whose calendars have not been compliant with current law “a one-year grace period” before facing new penalties if they remain non-compliant.

Sen. Galey stated that the primary purpose of the bill is to give districts flexibility to complete exams before the winter break and said the earlier start in August is a concession accepted by the tourism industry, since it cuts into the peak time for families who take summer vacations that help support businesses dependent on tourism income.

When Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford) cited the need for more instructional flexibility and allowing LEAs to align their calendar with community colleges, Sen. Galey responded that alignment is not necessary because large numbers of LEAs have been able to offer their students Early College and Career and College Promise (CCP) programs under the current calendar law, while staying in compliance.
The amended bill, as fully summarized by legislative staff here, next heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It still requires the following for the new calendar alternative:

• An opening date for students no earlier than the Monday closest to August 19 with a closing date no later than the Friday before Memorial Day.
   
• An equal number of days each semester.
   
• A good cause waiver for districts missing a significant number of inclement weather days, but the waiver only allows those districts to start the year no earlier than the Monday closest to August 19, the same earliest start date for all districts under the new option. NCASA is advocating for this weather waiver to be amended to allow districts who receive it to start a week earlier, on the Monday closest to Aug. 12.
   
• Significant penalties for districts not in compliance with the law, including having their central office allotment withheld; mandatory legislative consideration of governance changes for the school district; and the potential for more individuals, businesses, non-profits, and other entities to file lawsuits that could result in fines up to $10,000 plus legal costs for the LEA.