GREENSBORO, N.C. — Back to school means back to the often-dreaded early morning alarms and the subsequent cadence of a school bus engine. Now, some parents are sounding an alarm of their own, because of just how early their students get on the bus.

THE QUESTION

A Charlotte posted on Facebook about her Charlotte-Mecklenburg high schooler's 5:30 a.m. school bus pick-up. Someone commented, asking, "Isn't it illegal for school buses to pick up students before 6 a.m.?"

THE SOURCES

NC General Assembly

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Alamance-Burlington Schools

THE ANSWER

There is no state law specifying earliest school bus pick-up times, so districts make decisions based on the number of routes, drivers and school start times (which vary by district).

THE PROCESS

NC general statutes (l

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