The legislature in 2004 stepped into a fight between local school boards, the tourism industry, and parents by deciding that public schools on traditional schedules should not start before Aug. 25.
The House now revisits the debate each session, hearing arguments that members could have memorized by now, Lynn Bonner reports.
School districts had been setting opening dates in mid and early August, which tourism businesses said hurt their profits and cut into sources of teen labor. Parents complain about children riding in hot buses, having to miss family reunions, and losing wages from summer jobs.
School boards say they need to be able to start early so high school students can take exams before winter break. Having a schedule where the fall semester bleeds into mid-January makes it hard for high school students who want to take community college courses.
The House Education committee revisited the issue this week, endorsing a bill that would let schools start the second Monday in August. The House Commerce committee gets to talk about it next.
More after the jump.
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This is the second time since the legislature restricted school calendars that the House has tried to loosen up the schedule.
The N.C. Association of Educators, whose support was crucial in getting the law for the restricted calendar passed in 2004, now wants the extra weeks in August added back.
The Senate, run by Manteo restaurant owner Marc Basnight, has not shown any interest in allowing schools to go back to opening earlier in August.
After the House Education Committee meeting Tuesday night, Rep. Marvin Lucas, the committee chairman, didn't give the bill much of a chance of getting a Senate hearing.
"An exercise in futility," he said.
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