School Summer Vacation Law Could Be Altered

RALEIGH, N.C. — They forces who won a battle in 2004 to extend summer vacation for North Carolina students say the extra family time they gained is in jeopardy at the Legislature.

In 2004, lawmakers approved legislation that says schools cannot begin classes before Aug. 25 or end them later than June 10. The reasoning was that it created more summer vacation time for families and also would help the tourism industry.

School systems adversely affected by weather get exemptions, but some school boards still complain it hampers their ability to set schedules. Now, various bills have been filed to repeal the school calendar law, and lawmakers are staking out their ground.

“I think we have enough time during the school year to educate kids. We need to make sure we've got enough time in the summer for children to get a break and for families to have time with their children,” Rep. Bill Faison, D-Orange, said for one side of the issue.