Parents and the travel industry want to keep in place a 2004 law requires local school districts to begin classes no sooner than Aug. 25 each year and end by June 10, saying that schedule maintains the traditional vacation time parents want and helps the coastal economy.

But many school boards and superintendents say the restrictions are dampening student performance and creating a frustrating schedule. They support a new bill would let the State Board of Education grant more waivers to entire school districts.

"We value the education of our students more than a few extra days at the beach," said Edgecombe County schools spokeswoman Diane LeFiles, one of dozens who spoke at the House Education Committee hearing attended by about 200 people and lasted more than two hours.

Speakers in support of keeping the law as is complained that school administrators ignored for years parents unhappy with earlier start dates. The group Save Our Summers-North Carolina said they received petitions from 26,000 supporting a later start date statewide. By Gary D Robertson, AP