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State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson says North Carolina should keep the five days lawmakers added to the school calendar in the state budget this year. Her remarks come in response to comments made by House Speaker Thom Tillis Monday (link) and side with Sen. Jerry Tillman, who pushed for the additional days.

"We do need to extend the school year for our students," Atkinson said. Other students around the world go to school for at least 200 days.

Atkinson also said that the state needed to repeal its school calendar law so that school districts can start and adjust their schedules as need be. Currently, no school district can start its regular calendar before Aug. 25 without a waiver. Atkinson said schools should be able to adjust their calendars both to accommodate the extra five days and to create programs that may help keep low performing students better engaged.

She said that the General Assembly should come up with extra money school districts need to stay in session longer.

During a brief interview with several reporters, Atkinson was also asked about criticism by Progress NC, which says she has not been vocal enough in the fight over school funding. From a Progress NC press release (link):

"As State Superintendent, it's her job to be the state's biggest advocate for public schools," said Gerrick Brenner, Executive Director of Progress North Carolina. "Right now, June Atkinson is failing teachers and students, by not standing up to lawmakers who continue to hide behind false rhetoric after they slashed school budgets."

While June Atkinson is on record in opposition to cuts made in the 2011-12 state budget, she has not spoken up about it since August. In the debate over education cuts, their impact on students, and the future of school funding Superintendent Atkinson's voice is missing.

Atkinson said she hadn't heard about the Progress NC release and shrugged off the criticism, saying that she has spoken out.

"Once a budget is done, however, there has to be work done to work done to work with the hand you've been dealt," she said. Her focus, Atkinson said, has been on making the budget the General Assembly passed work. Teachers, students and principals have been "stretched to the max," she said.

Click below to listen to the full four minutes with Atkinson on both topics.