Carteret County board adopts 2025–26 calendar after debate over state statute; vote 5-2

The Carteret County Board of Education voted 5–2 Feb. 4 to adopt the 2025–26 academic calendar, which begins for students on or near Aug. 25.

Board members said the statemandated school calendar statute limits the district—s ability to align high school semesters with community college and university schedules, a point several members said harms dual-enrolled students and complicates semester grading and exams.

"The so-called school calendar statute is not in the best interest of our students," said Ms. Wheatley, board member, in a statement laying out the motion to adopt the calendar. She said exemptions granted to charter schools, early colleges and other entities underscore what she described as an inequity for traditional public school students.

In debate before the vote, board members spoke about the calendar—s impact on students who are dually enrolled in community college courses and on families planning summer activities. Some members urged the board to pursue legal or joint action with other districts to seek statewide calendar flexibility; others said adopting the recommended calendar allows families and staff time to plan while the district pursues longer-term remedies.

The motion to adopt the 2025—26 calendar was made by Ms. Wheatley and seconded by Mr. White. The board recorded the outcome as 5 in favor and 2 opposed.

The board did not record individual roll-call votes in the public transcript for this item; the transcript shows only the final tally. Members who spoke in favor emphasized acting now to give families and staff certainty for the coming school year, while those opposed expressed disappointment at being forced to accept the state-imposed schedule.

The board discussed pursuing legal avenues to obtain calendar flexibility in future years and indicated an intent to coordinate with parents and potentially other districts before summer.

The motion adopted the calendar presented by administration at the board—s December meeting; the calendar includes an Aug. 25 start date for students and preserves the semester break at the Christmas holidays as described in the administration—s recommendation.

The board characterized the vote as both an operational decision for the coming school year and a political-legal step toward seeking broader flexibility for subsequent years.