Moore County board to publish two draft school calendars after heated debate over ‘early start’ law

The Moore County Schools Board of Education voted Feb. 3 to ask district staff to prepare and post two draft academic calendars for public comment and return the issue for board decision at the March 3 work session.

The board’s action follows nearly two hours of discussion about state restrictions on academic calendars and repeated calls from several board members and community advocates to move Moore County to an “early start” calendar that finishes the first semester before the winter break. The motion, made by Board Member Pauline Davis and seconded by Board Member Justin Hensley, passed on a 6–1 voice vote; one board member opposed.

Why it matters: Board members and teachers argued the current calendar — which follows the North Carolina school calendar law and keeps the first semester extending past the Christmas break — causes instructional disruption and “re‑teaching” after winter break. Opponents, including board members who emphasized legal obligations, said the district must follow state law unless the General Assembly changes it. The board’s vote directs staff to prepare a law‑compliant draft calendar and an alternate “early start” draft, publish both for public comment from Feb. 11–Feb. 25, compile anonymous feedback, and return a recommendation at the March 31 work session after the calendar committee’s review. The superintendent also will bring both drafts to the March 3 work session for the board’s review as directed by the motion.

Discussion highlights: Board Member Donna Bruno and others said teachers and many parents favor an early start because it places semester tests before the holiday break and aligns K–12 with college semesters. Board Member Robert Dahl and others argued the board has a duty to follow state law and warned that some counties that have adopted early start calendars have faced legal challenges. Superintendent Michael Locklear said he would not recommend a proposal that breaks state law but would present an early‑start option for board consideration if the board directed him to do so.

What the board directed staff to do: produce an official draft calendar that complies with the North Carolina school calendar law and an alternate early‑start draft; post both drafts and a feedback form on the district website from Feb. 11–25; collect anonymous feedback by respondent role (parent, student, teacher, staff, community); compile responses for review at the March 31 work session; and present both calendars for board consideration at the March 3 work session to allow more time for review.

Quotes: “Teachers call it a total waste of time; we finish at Christmas and must re‑teach in January,” Board Member Donna Bruno said. Superintendent Michael Locklear said, “I will not recommend something that breaks the law,” but added he would bring an early‑start option if the board formally directed him to do so.

Votes at a glance: Motion to direct staff to prepare two calendars (one law‑compliant, one early‑start) for public comment and present both at the March 3 work session — moved by Pauline Davis, seconded by Justin Hensley; outcome: approved; vote: 6 in favor, 1 opposed.

Ending: The board’s decision puts the calendar debate before the public and buys the district time to gather community feedback while the state calendar law remains unchanged. The board and staff said they will provide compiled feedback and a formal recommendation at later work sessions.