GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2017

S                                                                                                                                                     1

SENATE BILL 215

Short Title:      Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Calendar Pilot.		(Local)
Sponsors:	Senator Foushee (Primary Sponsor).
Referred to:	Rules and Operations of the Senate

March 9, 2017

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to authorize the chapel hill‑carrboro city schools board of education to operate a school calendar flexibility pilot program.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding G.S. 115C‑84.2(d), the State Board of Education shall authorize the Chapel Hill‑Carrboro City Schools Board of Education to operate a school calendar flexibility pilot program (Program) that allows for the Chapel Hill‑Carrboro City Schools Board of Education to set opening and closing dates for its schools in accordance with this act. The purpose of the Program is to determine the impact of school calendar flexibility for opening and closing dates on student achievement and the design of innovative educational programs. The Chapel Hill‑Carrboro City Schools Board of Education shall submit the specific calendar changes made as part of the Program to the State Board and publish the changes on the local school administrative unit Web site. The Chapel Hill‑Carrboro City Schools Board of Education may conduct surveys of parents and school personnel when proposing changes to the school calendar under the Program.

SECTION 2.  The Program shall begin with the 2017‑2018 school year and end with the 2021‑2022 school year. For the duration of the Program, the Chapel Hill‑Carrboro City Schools Board of Education shall report annually to the Department of Public Instruction on information for the prior school year that includes at least the following:

(1)        The actual dates for opening and closing the public schools throughout the local school administrative unit.

(2)        The calendar for student exams.

(3)        Alignment of the school calendar with any institutions of higher education calendars for educational purposes.

(4)        Any data that shows the impact of the Program on student achievement and summer learning loss.

(5)        Any other information the Department of Public Instruction deems necessary.

SECTION 3.  By October 15 of each year, with an initial report submitted by October 15, 2018, the Department of Public Instruction shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on (i) implementation and administration of the Program, (ii) data from the Program on student achievement, and (iii) any recommendations on the modification, continuation, and potential expansion of the Program statewide.

SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.