Rep. Rhyne files bill in North Carolina House to adjust school calendar

A new bill filed by State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne in the North Carolina House seeks to revise the school calendar to establish a defined winter break and adjust academic year start and end dates, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 190 on Feb. 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘SchCal Mandatory Winter Break/Date Adjustment.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates an adjustment to the school calendar for Lincoln County Schools and Iredell-Statesville Schools, requiring a two-week winter break starting in December. The winter break will consist of 14 consecutive days free of instructional days or teacher workdays. In the event of schools closing for three or more days due to inclement weather before the winter break, the local board may opt to make up for lost days during the break. Additionally, the bill modifies the permissible opening and closing dates for the academic year, specifying that the opening date for students in traditional schools cannot be earlier than the Wednesday closest to Aug. 13 and the closing date no later than the Friday closest to June 1. This act becomes effective upon becoming law and applies starting with the 2025-26 school year.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Jeffrey C. McNeely proposed the most bills (six) 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.

Rhyne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.

Rhyne, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 97th House district, replacing previous state representative Jason Saine.