|
Sept. 23, 2009....Finally – an update!
 It has seemed like forever since we’ve updated this website, but we were waiting for the General Assembly to officially end their lengthy 2009 session! Now we can finally share the most current information on the status of the school calendar law.
First of all, remember that twelve bills were filed during the 2009 session of the NC General Assembly, seeking to modify or overturn the 2004 school calendar law. Despite support of all twelve bills by all but one major member of House leadership, Save Our Summers - NC was successful in working to prevent any of these bills from passing into law! Words cannot adequately express our appreciation to those of you who made phone calls, wrote letters and emails, and even spoke one-on-one with legislators, urging them to support our cause.
Of the twelve bills filed, only the following two are still eligible for consideration in 2010. (Click here for overview of ALL bills.)
- HB 593 CHANGE SCHOOL STARTING DATE. Filed by Rep. Luebke (D-Durham). Changes the opening date to the second Monday of August and closing date no more than 42 weeks later. Does not affect teacher workdays.
Action & Status:
Passed the House 79-39, Referred to Senate Education Committee
As a matter of interest, included in a 239-page budget-related bill (SB202) that did pass, is a section on page 46 entitled “SCHOOL CALENDAR PILOT PROGRAM.” This legislation applies only to Wilkes County, and allows that school system to consolidate its calendar in order to “determine whether and to what extent a local school administrative unit can save money during this extreme fiscal crisis.” Details about this new “pilot program” can be found here.
WHO ARE WE?
SOS North Carolina is a volunteer coalition of parents, grandparents, education professionals and others who seek to establish, protect and maintain a more traditional school calendar for elementary and secondary schools throughout the state. The objective is to preserve the summer months for outside-the-classroom childhood and family learning experiences and for valuable "real-life” opportunities.
 Snapshot Summary....HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED!
 SOS-NC is long past the days when it could rely solely on a hand-full of volunteers working a few months out of the year to carry out its mission. This grassroots organization now requires ongoing attention and planning on the part of its leaders. This year, we had to pull out all stops in order to keep the twelve filed bills from becoming law. That included retaining the services of two lobbyists with a heart for our cause. Their tireless efforts, valuable contacts, and “watchdog” mentality played a major role in ensuring our success.
SOS-NC is in dire need of contributions. At this point in the battle, it is imperative that we have professional lobbyists who are a visible presence at the legislature each day that the General Assembly is in session — lobbyists who know what to look and listen for...and who to talk with — so that SOS-NC can plan accordingly and not be caught off-guard. We must continue to keep this website going, as it is the only place where citizens, businesses, etc. (both in and out of state) can go for comprehensive information on NC’s school calendar issues. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND CONTRIBUTE!
|
