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IMPORTANT
UPDATE
Save Our
Summers-NC Continues to Monitor
Improper Calendar Law Waiver Requests!
Raleigh, NC, October 31, 2011 - Recently, the non-profit
organization, Save Our Summers-North Carolina (SOS-NC) and
Macon County parent, Sabrina Hawkins, took legal action against
the NC State Board of Education for granting waivers (from
the mandated August 25th school start date) to every school
in the Macon County school district. This system-wide attempt
to evade the school calendar law violates the intent of N.C.
General Statute 115C-84.2(d), which states :“waiver requests
for educational purposes shall not be used to accommodate
system-wide classroom preferences.” READ
THE FULL PETITION HERE (PDF)
Even though SOS-NC did not learn of the waivers until they
had been granted, a preliminary injunction was sought to temporarily
rescind the waivers allowing schools to start early in Macon
County (for the 2011-2012 calendar year only). On July 26,
State Administrative Law Judge Joe L. Webster denied that
request, and all schools in Macon County were allowed to open
their doors to students on August 4.
Save Our Summers-NC and Mrs. Hawkins had a right to seek
a full hearing on the 2011-2012 waivers for Macon County,
but could not justify the large legal expenses of a single-district
trial since August 25 had already passed. Therefore, with
no decision having been rendered on the merits of the case,
it was decided that a better use of resources was to withdraw
the Macon County-specific case and focus efforts on all potential
threats to the School Calendar law next year.
In the meantime, SOS-NC continues to monitor Macon County’s
actions, and is ready to intervene should the school board
choose to re-apply next year for an improper waiver. The legal
position of SOS-NC remains strong, and school districts should
take note that any efforts to evade the school calendar law
will be closely scrutinized in the waiver process.
It is our hope that, with the withdrawal of the case, the
NC State Board of Education will be open to a mutual sharing
of concerns and information that might lessen the chance of
misconceptions and misinterpretations in the future.
PREPARE FOR 185-DAY SCHOOL YEAR! (Posted 6/3/2011)
Yes, that's right. The NC budget (HB200) will pass in the House by June 4th before hitting Governor Perdue's desk for approval. It contains a provision to require 185 days of school attendance instead of the current 180 days. Also, five teacher workdays will lose their "protected" status. You can find the details here: Senate Budget (p. 58-60, beginning at line 33. Think about how such a provision will affect your school calendar, including make-up days, and share your opinion with your representative and Speaker Tillis right away. Yes, they need to hear from you even after the fact! Also, call and email Governor Perdue's office at 919-733-2391, governor.office@nc.gov
Even though we have not been able to update this site as often as we hoped (due to some critical and ongoing family health issues), SOS-NC has remained vigilant in monitoring school calendar-related activities at the NC General Assembly. Our presence has been made known through ongoing email correspondence with Senators and Representatives, frequent phone contact, one-on-one meetings with “key players,” and most importantly, “on-site” representation every week (sharing our views and concerns with legislative members, speaking before committees, etc.).
While many of the early school calendar bills have not made much progress, there is one bill that SOS-NC has followed closely. House Bill 197 has passed through the Senate and is headed to the House for approval. This bill is similar to the bill that became law last year, granting school systems that have missed more than 20 instructional days the option of choosing to complete 1,000 hours OR 180 days, instead of both, as required by law. If this bill becomes law, it would apply only to the 2010-2011 school year. Read bill contents here.
Another bill, SB 724 (An Act to Improve Public Education) has just come to the forefront as a bill that would greatly affect school calendars of the future. We recommend that parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens take the time to read this bill. The bill includes the following heading: “Lengthening the School Day and School Year in Certain Schools,” and sub-section: 5.(d) “It is the goal of the General Assembly, available funds permitting, to have a school year of at least 190 days for all students.” This bill was also unanimously approved by the Senate on May 10, and is now headed back to the House. Read bill contents 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 ALWAYS APPRECIATED!
 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 a large-scale basis. Every year, we have to play “watchdog” (in a major way), present research and data, offer viable suggestions, be present for votes on the House and Senate floors, and attend committee and one-on-one meetings. In other words, in order to keep the 2004 school calendar law from becoming history, SOS-NC has to stay on the front lines, not only through emails and phone calls, but by being a regular presence at the General Assembly.
Also, it is imperative that we 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.
That is why SOS-NC asks you to consider a contribution. Just weeks ago, on the floor of the NC House of Representatives, opponents openly vowed to do away with the 2004 school calendar law in next year’s session. They are passionate about doing just that. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND CONTRIBUTE!
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