Current law requires local boards of education to set the opening date for public schools (except for year-round schools) no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26, and the closing date no later than the Friday closest to June 11. However, upon a showing of good cause, as defined by statute, the State Board of Education (State Board) is authorized to waive the previously stated opening and closing date requirements and allow local boards to make statutorily specified modifications to the opening and closing dates.

Amends GS 115C-84.2(d) to also allow the State Board to waive the opening and closing date requirements for public schools for an educational purpose. Defines educational purpose to mean that a local school administrative unit establishes a need to adopt a different calendar for (1) a specific school to accommodate a special program offered generally to the student body of that school, (2) a school that primarily serves a special population of students, or (3) a defined program within a school.

Authorizes the State Board to grant the educational purpose waiver provided that the State Board finds that the (1) educational purpose is reasonable, (2) the accommodation is necessary to achieve the educational purpose, and (3) the request is not an attempt to circumvent the opening and closing dates set out in this subsection [GS 115C-84.2(d)]. Prohibits using a waiver request for educational purposes to accommodate system-wide class scheduling preferences.

Effective when the act becomes law and applies beginning with the 2015-16 school year.