NC H9

Restores State Board of Education authority to waive school opening and closing date requirements for "educational purpose" reasons, in addition to existing "good cause" weather-related waivers.

Defines "educational purpose" as a local school administrative unit's need to adopt a different calendar to accommodate a special program offered to a school's student body, serve a special population of students, or support a defined program within a school.

Requires State Board to find that the educational purpose is reasonable, the accommodation is necessary to accomplish that purpose, and the request is not an attempt to circumvent established opening and closing dates.

Prohibits educational purpose waivers from being used to accommodate systemwide class scheduling preferences.

Effective beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.