Mike Edney's comments put wheels in motion to get NC's school start date law modified
HENDERSONVILLE - Following the Henderson County Board of Education's decision to start the 2023-24 school year earlier than what the state law mandates, Henderson County Commissioner Mike Edney raised some eyebrows when he suggested the Board of Commissioners cut funds to Henderson County Public Schools since the law was being broken.
While his comments made some people angry, they also made people think. Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting July 19, and on the agenda will be a discussion of whether or not to send a letter to Raleigh asking lawmakers to change the school-start date law.
"I plan to discuss it at our next regular meeting and hopefully have consensus to move forward with such a letter," Henderson County Commission Chair Rebecca McCall told the Times-News on June 29.
More: After motion to cut school funds fails, Edney says, 'We're no longer a society of laws'
State law states that schools can start no sooner than the Monday closest to Aug. 26, which is Aug. 28 this year. This is the start date for Buncombe County Schools, Asheville City Schools and Transylvania County Schools.
There are several other school systems in Western North Carolina going against the state law: Polk County Schools and Avery County Schools are all scheduled to start Aug. 14; Jackson County Schools on Aug. 16; and on Aug. 21, Madison County Schools, Swain County Schools, Graham County Schools, Haywood County Schools, Mitchell County Schools and Yancey County Schools.
Rep. Jake Johnson told the Times-News on July 3 he supports changing the law, as long as it is done through the right channels. He said it was already a work in progress.
"We passed this measure in the House that would allow for the school calendar flexibility, and we hope that we can all advocate for this in the Senate to avoid it ending up in a legal dispute when we all want what is best for the students," he said.
More: Edney: Henderson County should not fund schools, as early start date violates state law
Henderson County Board of Education Chair Blair Craven said for Henderson County, there were two main reasons to start earlier than Aug. 28.
"The first is so that our students can finish their first semester exams before the Christmas holiday begins. The second reason is that we need to have our calendar align with the calendar of Blue Ridge Community College," he told the Times-News on July 3.
He also said the board "absolutely welcomes" the commissioners sending a letter to Raleigh.
"I’m sure the Board of Education would also be willing to send a joint letter if the commissioners would accept that," he said.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Johnson supports changing start date law 'through right channels'
