A question that comes up year after year is:“Why can’t high school fall exams be completed before winter break?”
The answer lies in North Carolina’s school calendar law, which sets strict parameters for when the school year can begin and end each year.
What the NC School Calendar Law Requires
The school calendar law—enacted in 2004—has been in place for 22 years and outlines several mandatory guidelines that all school districts must follow:
- Start Date: No earlier than the Monday closest to August 26
- End Date: No later than the Friday closest to June 11
- Total Calendar: Must include 215 days within the fiscal year
- Instructional Time: At least 185 days or 1,025 hours across nine months
- Vacation Leave: Minimum of 10 days for staff
- Teacher Working Days: No more than 195 working days for 10‑month teachers
- Holidays: 11 state‑mandated holidays, including Veterans Day
- Required Teacher Workdays: Maximum of 8
These requirements significantly limit how districts can schedule the academic year—especially when trying to align high school exams to be completed prior to winter break.
How Pitt County Schools Builds the Academic Calendar
Each year, Pitt County Schools follows a thorough, multi‑step process to develop the Academic Calendar:
- District staff drafts a proposed calendar
- The Calendar Committee reviews and provides initial feedback
- Revisions are made based on committee input
- The calendar is shared with the community for survey feedback
- District staff reviews survey results and makes final adjustments
- The proposed calendar is presented to the Board of Education for approval
At the January 5th Board of Education meeting Dr. Kamara Roach, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services, and Dr. Thomas Feller, Director of School Innovation and Transformation, presented the proposed 2026–2027 Academic Calendar and survey results.
The Board voted to approve the calendar.
You can review the approved calendar and survey summary HERE. (https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/meetings/TempFolder/Meetings/2026-27%20Academic%20Calendar%20and%20Survey%20Results_457456mwc25r3mf5dbyjyykgonuwgl.pdf)
Why Calendar Flexibility Matters
Across North Carolina, many school districts—including Pitt County—have expressed strong interest in calendar flexibility. Community feedback consistently shows that families and educators would prefer:
- High school fall exams to be completed before winter break
However, current state law makes this impossible without violating mandated start and end dates.
This concern is not unique to Pitt County—it is shared widely across the state.
Legislative Efforts Toward Flexibility
Pitt County’s NC House Representatives, Tim Reeder and Gloristine Brown, introduced a bipartisan bill in the NC House to grant Pitt County more flexibility in setting its school calendar.
In 2025, the NC House overwhelmingly passed a bill that would have provided calendar flexibility for local school districts.
However, the NC Senate did not vote on the measure, leaving the 2004 law in place.
How the Community Can Advocate for Change
Your voice matters. Here’s how you can support calendar flexibility for Pitt County Schools:
1. Contact Your NC House and Senate Representatives
- Share why flexibility is important for students, families, and educators.
Even if your representative already supports the issue, continued communication helps build momentum.
2. Advocate specifically for an Earlier Start Date
Encourage lawmakers to allow districts to begin school at least two weeks earlier than current law permits.
3. Spread the Word
Help others understand:
- What the current NC School Calendar Law requires
- How it limits local decision‑making
- Why many families support completing fall exams before winter break
Encourage neighbors, coworkers, and community groups to reach out to their elected officials as well.
