NC H874

Establishes a three-year elementary year-round school pilot program managed by the Department of Public Instruction for the 2018-2019 through 2020-2021 school years, involving up to five eligible elementary schools.

Eligible schools must have fewer than 35% of students achieving reading proficiency and more than 50% of students qualifying for federal free or reduced-price lunch programs; applications due September 15, 2017, with school selections by December 15, 2017.

Requires geographic diversity in school selection, including both urban and rural areas, and mandates evaluation by an institution of higher education with reporting to the State Board of Education and Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by August 15 and October 15 of each year from 2019-2021.

Appropriates $1,700,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018 and $1,700,000 for fiscal year 2018-2019, with up to $200,000 per year for evaluation contracts and up to $300,000 per year per school for implementation costs including transportation and child care.

Expresses legislative intent to appropriate an additional $1,700,000 for the 2019-2020 fiscal year to support the third year of the pilot program.