Lexington City Schools joins other NC districts in starting school year earlier, defying state law

The Lexington City Schools Board of Education voted to start the next academic year earlier than outlined by state law.

The district joins several others in the state making the same decision. 

North Carolina legislation states that school can’t start before the Monday closest to August 26. But several districts have taken issue with that timeline, because it means students can’t take their exams until after winter break. 

At a meeting last week, the Lexington City Schools Board of Education voted to start the year two weeks earlier to avoid that problem. 

Superintendent Nakia Hardy said the district will accommodate families who may have other plans already, and not count students absent until after their first day of attendance. 

“If a student does not show up until day eight, because of a family vacation or sports camp, then day nine is the only day they can be absent," Hardy said. "They're not absent day one through eight.” 

A report to the North Carolina General Assembly shows that more than a dozen districts chose to defy state law and start school earlier in 2023. Even more districts, including Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, will be following suit in the next academic year.  

Legislation was introduced last year to offer school calendar flexibility, but it hasn’t fully passed. There are currently no consequences written into state law for schools that start earlier. 

Hardy says she’d like to get a head start on approving future calendars to give students and staff more time to adjust. 

“I would want to bring to the Board of Education in December, two calendars so that we can approve them earlier," Hardy said. "So the 25-26 and 26-27 in December of 24, so that families do have the opportunity to plan.”

The board voted unanimously to approve the calendar with school starting August 12. More information can be found on the district website. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.