NC H281

Allows Hoke County Schools to adopt school calendars with fewer than 185 instructional days while maintaining 1,025 total instructional hours.

Permits varying numbers of instructional hours across different days and semesters, as long as total hours remain equivalent between semesters.

Requires that teachers employed for 10-month terms at schools with fewer than 185 instructional days receive compensation equivalent to teachers working 185 days, including equivalent annual leave, sick leave, and longevity benefits.

Allows Hoke County Schools to begin the fall semester before December 31 and administer standardized assessments prior to semester conclusion, rather than within the final 10 instructional days.

Changes the earliest permissible opening date for students from the Monday closest to August 26 to August 10.