Martin County urges state to return local control of school calendars

Martin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Mansfield told the board that educators have long sought local control over school calendars. Under current law (since 2004) school calendars in North Carolina must start no earlier than the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday closest to June 11, which Mansfield and others said forces high school first‑semester exams after winter break and creates misalignment with community college semesters.

Mansfield said returning calendar flexibility would let districts align semesters with local postsecondary institutions, schedule first‑semester exams before winter break, and provide latitude for weather‑related makeup days. The board adopted a resolution asking the North Carolina General Assembly to restore local control; Vice Chairman Dempsey Bond moved for adoption with Commissioner Lilley seconding, and the motion passed unanimously.

The resolution cites concerns about AP/IB exam timing, summer learning loss, child nutrition impacts, and scheduling challenges for extracurriculars and school makeup days.