CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As schools return to class across the Charlotte area, the annual tug-of-war over when they should start is in full swing in North Carolina.
State law says public schools can begin no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end around June 11. This date was chosen to benefit the tourism industry, which hopes a longer summer break will be good for business. North Carolina is one of a dozen or so states that mandates when schools can start, with the current date falling in line with most colleges and charter schools start.
The law was first passed in 2004 and has been amended several times. The decadeslong debate stems from the 2004 law and school districts are pushing back, arguing that starting later in August disrupts the academic calendar. Education leaders say starting late also prevents students from finishing semester exams before winter break, so they advocate for a start date closer to Aug. 10, allowing for more flexibility.
The General Assembly has considered adjusting its start date but failed to reach a consensus. As a result, the Aug. 26 start date remains in place for the foreseeable future.
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