Representative Carl Ford – District 76
♦ Fourth Week of the 2015 Long Session: February 16-20, 2015
Like the rest of the state, icy conditions interrupted much of the Houses’ business this week. After many closures and cancelations, we held two committee meetings, and the House held several non-voting sessions.
House leadership was in Raleigh to continue work on the Houses’ budget proposal, and the Appropriations Committee passed a bill which would fund the Coal Ash, Rules, and Academic Standards commissions. Stay tuned in the coming weeks to hear more news as the House prepares to offer the Senate its proposal on State business and resumes normal business, weather permitting.
Bill Updates
School Calendar Flexibility/Kannapolis – House Bill 84
This week, I filed both House Bill 84 and 85, which will provide Kannapolis City and Cabarrus County Boards of Education more flexibility when creating the calendars for their districts. Much like our experience this week, last year many schools were forced to hold make up instructional days during Spring Break days. State regulations on the distribution of instructional hours prohibited schools from simply adding instructional days to the end of their calendar year. As a result, many families vacations were either postponed or canceled and our state’s travel and tourism industry took a loss.
After hearing parents’ complaints about these excessive regulations and lost quality time, I was eager to join my fellow legislators in filing legislation that will provide local school boards the ability to determine what school calendar is best for their children.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the work I was able to accomplish this week for Cabarrus and Rowan. Expect to hear big news as the 152nd resumes its legislative session and budget process.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
God Bless,
Carl
Legislative Office: (919) 733-5881
District Office: (704) 305-3541
carl.ford@ncleg.net
