A new bill filed by State Rep. Matthew Winslow in the North Carolina House seeks to grant Vance County Schools flexibility in setting their school year start and end dates, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 286 on March 4 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘SchCalFlex/Vance/Open Cal.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill provides Vance County Schools with the flexibility to determine their own school calendar, specifically the opening and closing dates. It allows local school boards to set the opening date no earlier than the Monday closest to August 19, in contrast to the general rule of not starting before the Monday closest to August 26. The closing date remains no later than the Friday closest to June 11. The bill permits exceptions to the opening date requirement if a “good cause” is demonstrated, such as schools being closed for eight days per year due to emergencies over four of the last 10 years. This flexibility does not apply to year-round schools or those with modified calendars dating back to 2003-04. The bill is effective upon becoming law and will be applicable starting with the 2025-26 school year.
Winslow proposed another six bills during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Winslow graduated from East Carolina University with a BS.
Winslow, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 7th House district, replacing previous state representative Lisa Barnes.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Winslow | HB 286 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Vance/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 287 | 03/04/2025 | SchCalFlex/Franklin/Open Cal. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 291 | 03/04/2025 | Franklinton Annexations. |
| Matthew Winslow, Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Matthew Winslow, Celeste C. Cairns, and Steve Tyson | HB 159 | 02/21/2025 | Orphan Roads Maintenance Program Grant. |
| Matthew Winslow | HB 58 | 02/04/2025 | Various Local Elections. |
| Matthew Winslow, Erin Paré, Keith Kidwell, and Steve Tyson | HB 14 | 01/29/2025 | Gambling Loss Tax Deduct, NC Sound Money Act. |
