NC H163

Allows Chatham County Schools, Harnett County Schools, and Lee County Schools to align their school calendars with community college calendars in their respective counties, notwithstanding standard opening and closing date requirements

Permits these three school systems to set opening dates as early as the Monday closest to August 19 (instead of August 26) if school calendars provide sufficient days for anticipated makeup days from closures

Maintains existing requirement that school closing dates cannot be later than the Friday closest to June 11, with flexibility to adjust if necessary to meet minimum instructional day or time requirements

Defines "good cause" for early opening as schools in a county being closed 8 days per year during any 4 of the last 10 years due to severe weather, energy shortages, power failures, or emergencies

Takes effect upon enactment and applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year