Under current law, GS 115C-84.2(d) provides authority to local boards of education to determine the opening and closing dates for public schools under GS 115C-84.2(a)(1). However, the local boards must comply with specified parameters for the opening and closing dates of public schools as provided in GS 115C-84.2(d). Subsection (d) also provides criteria under which the State Board of Education may waive those requirements upon a showing of good cause by a local board of education. 

Amends GS 115C-84.2(d) to require that except for year-round schools, local boards of education must set the school opening date for students to be no earlier than August 15 (was, no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26). Also requires that first-semester examinations be given before winter break. Retains provision authorizing local boards of education to determine the opening and closing dates for public schools. Adds new language that provides that regardless of the required opening date under subsection (d), a local school board may choose to schedule the opening and closing dates for any school in the local administrative unit to align with the opening and closing dates of a community college that serves the city or county in which the school unit is located.

Deletes all other provisions of subsection (d), including the requirement that the school closing date for students be no later than the Friday closest to June 11. 

Effective when act becomes law, applying a the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.