A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO CERTAIN SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN ADOPTING THE SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Whereas, the local boards of education for Bladen County Schools, Columbus County Schools, Robeson County Schools, and Whiteville City Schools should be able to schedule school opening and closing dates for any school located in those local school administrative units to coincide with the opening and closing dates of Southeastern Community College; and
Whereas, school calendar flexibility would benefit all students in Bladen County Schools, Columbus County Schools, Robeson County Schools, and Whiteville City Schools who are enrolled in classes through Southeastern Community College by allowing them to align their fall and spring semesters with the fall and spring semesters at Southeastern Community College; and
Whereas, school calendar flexibility would allow Bladen County Schools, Columbus County Schools, Robeson County Schools, Whiteville City Schools, and Southeastern Community College to meet the workforce development needs in Bladen, Columbus, and Robeson Counties more effectively than the current structure by helping high school and college students develop the skills necessary for business and industry; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 115C‑84.2(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	Opening and Closing Dates. – Local boards of education shall determine the dates of opening and closing the public schools under subdivision (a)(1) of this section.
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SECTION 2.  This act applies only to Bladen County Schools, Columbus County Schools, Robeson County Schools, and Whiteville City Schools.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2017‑2018 school year.