Rep. Marvin Lucas isn't sure if he's going to vote for his own bill.

When the Cumberland County Democrat first filed House Bill 359 in February of 2007, it was entitled a bill to "Restore Flexibility to School Calendar."

As it was then written, the bill would give local school boards back the power to start and end the school year when they wanted. A previous bill, backed by the tourism industry, had set the start date as no earlier than Aug. 25.

Lucas, a former teacher and principal, said that means some school districts hold finals after the winter break, which is not ideal for students.

The bill passed the House in April of 2007, but when it came back from the Senate this week all mentions of school calendars had been stripped. The new title: "An Act to Promote American Citizenship Efforts by Encouraging Voting by Eligible High School Students."

"It's been gutted," Lucas said. "It no longer bears any resemblance to the one we sent over."

He said he'll have to read the bill to see what's in it before he decides whether to vote to concur with the Senate version this afternoon.

Supporters of a state law that restricts school systems from cutting into summer vacation time plan to rally Saturday in Emerald Isle.

Ronnie Watson, owner of the Holiday Trav-L-Park Resort, said at least 400 people are scheduled to a beachside rally from 5 to 8 p.m. in support of a 2004 law that requires the academic year to end by June 10 and start no earlier than Aug. 25, Jerry Allegood reports.

Parents, tourism-related businesses and coastal town leaders contended that longer school years were cutting into family vacations.

Watson is a supporter of Save Our Summers, which championed the 2004 law and opposed a bill this year to weaken it.

Treasurer Richard Moore, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, will address the gathering, according to Watson. Other state politicians will also attend.

More after the jump.

Correction: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that Watson was a board member.

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