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Bill Summary · HB 119

Summary — HB 119 (School Calendar Flexibility / Pitt County)

Status note: This summary is based on the 2025 North Carolina House Bill 119 version titled “SchCalFlex/Pitt/MorF Aug 10.” The bill applies only to Pitt County and amends G.S. 115C‑84.2(d) governing school opening/closing dates.

Main purpose

Give Pitt County additional, limited flexibility to set the K‑12 school opening date earlier than the general statewide standard by permitting the local board to open schools as early as the Monday (or the preceding Friday if the date falls on a weekend) nearest August 10, subject to the other statutory constraints on calendar length and makeup days.

Key provisions

  • Amends G.S. 115C‑84.2(d) (opening and closing dates for local school calendars).
  • For Pitt County only (Section 2): Except for year‑round schools, the opening date for students may be set no earlier than the Monday closest to August 10 (if August 10 falls on a weekend, the opening may instead be the Friday immediately preceding or the Monday immediately following August 10).
  • All other statutory provisions for closing dates remain: closing no later than the Friday closest to June 11, and local boards may revise closing dates to meet minimum instructional day/time requirements.
  • Retains the State Board of Education’s existing authority to waive the “no earlier than” opening requirement for good cause (e.g., repeated historical closures for severe weather, power failures or other emergencies).
  • Limited geographic scope: the change applies only to schools in Pitt County.
  • Effective date and application: the act takes effect when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Pitt County Schools — students, teachers, staff, bus/transportation schedules, extracurricular and athletic calendars.
  • Secondary: Pitt County families (childcare, work schedules), local employers that coordinate around school calendars, and entities that synchronize interdistrict activities (e.g., athletic scheduling, regional programs).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Local control: gives Pitt County greater ability to schedule the school year to meet local needs (e.g., local events, weather patterns, alignment with county workforce or community programs).
  • Logistical effects: earlier start may affect teacher contracts, preseason athletics, transportation routes, and childcare/after‑school care demand.
  • Instructional days: local boards must ensure calendars still meet statutory minimum instructional days/time and accommodate anticipated makeup days.
  • Interdistrict alignment: earlier start could desynchronize Pitt County with neighboring districts for shared programs or sports scheduling.

If enacted, the provision is narrowly tailored (Pitt County only) and takes effect for the 2025–2026 school year.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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