Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Abby Angelos and 31 co-sponsors

Allows Camden County Schools, with a State Board waiver for 'good cause,' to open as early as the Monday closest to August 19 (instead of Aug 26) starting 2025-26.

Assigned Chapter Number 61

Purpose

HB 172 amends North Carolina school calendar law (G.S. 115C‑84.2(d)) to give Camden County Schools a limited, statutory option to open earlier in August than otherwise permitted under current statewide rules. The change is intended to allow Camden County local boards greater flexibility in setting an opening date (to accommodate anticipated makeup days and local conditions).

Key provisions

Amends G.S. 115C‑84.2(d) (Opening and Closing Dates) so that, for Camden County only:

The statutory earliest opening date for students may be the Monday closest to August 19 (previously the Monday closest to August 26) when the State Board of Education waives the general requirement on showing “good cause.”
The statutory latest student closing date remains the Friday closest to June 11, although local boards may revise scheduled closing dates as necessary to meet minimum instructional days/time.

Defines “good cause” for waiver: schools in a local school administrative unit in a county have been closed eight days per year during any four of the last ten years due to severe weather, energy shortages, power failures, or other emergency situations.

The statutory exemption for schools already operating on a modified calendar since 2003–04 remains unchanged.

Applies only to Camden County Schools.

Effective when the bill becomes law and applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.

Who is affected

Primary: Camden County Board of Education, Camden County schools, students, families, teachers and staff — they would be able to adopt an earlier opening (as early as the Monday closest to August 19) if the State Board grants a waiver.

Secondary: local childcare providers, extracurricular programs, and local employers (calendar shifts can affect schedules for athletics, childcare, and local businesses).

No statewide change to other counties’ calendar rules.

Procedural / timeline notes

Bill title: “School Calendar Flexibility / Camden / August 19.”

Status provided: Passed first reading. (Introduced and designated to apply beginning with the 2025–2026 school year; becomes effective upon enactment.)

Implements a county‑specific waiver mechanism rather than a permanent statewide shift of the statutory opening date.

Fiscal and policy implications

Fiscal impact: The bill makes a scheduling change only; no direct state or local fiscal appropriation is required. Indirect costs or savings could result from calendar adjustments (e.g., transportation, extended or reduced facility use, childcare), depending on local implementation.

Policy considerations: Supporters may cite improved ability to schedule makeup days and to align instruction time locally; opponents or stakeholders may raise concerns about impacts on family schedules, teacher contracts, summer programs, or regional coordination of calendars.

If enacted, Camden County would have an administrative path (State Board waiver showing “good cause”) to set an earlier opening date beginning with the 2025–26 school year.

Bill