Reference is to Printer's Date 4/14/16-H.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 1 in its entirety and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 59-1-425(A) of the 1976, as added by Act 260 of 2006, is amended to read:
"(A)
Each A local school district board
of trustees of the State shall have has
the authority to establish an annual school calendar for
teachers, staff, and students. The statutory school term is one
hundred ninety days annually and shall
must consist of a minimum of one hundred eighty days of
instruction covering at least nine calendar months. However,
beginning with the 2007-2008 school year the opening date for
students must not be before the third Monday in August, except
for schools operating on a year-round modified school calendar.
However, notwithstanding the provisions of Section
59-1-425(B), to provide districts with an increased ability to
schedule ninety instructional days prior to the winter holiday,
school boards of trustees must be given the flexibility to begin
school for students no more than five instructional days prior
to August fifteenth. Prior to exercising this flexibility, a
majority vote by the school board must be taken and notification
of the approved beginning date for students must be submitted to
the State Department of Education. Three days must be used
for collegial professional development based upon the
educational standards as required by Section 59-18-300. The
professional development shall must
address, at a minimum, academic achievement standards including
strengthening teachers' knowledge in their content area,
teaching techniques, and assessment. No more than two days may
be used for preparation of opening of schools and the remaining
five days may be used for teacher planning, academic plans, and
parent conferences. The number of instructional hours in an
instructional day may vary according to local board policy and
does not have to be uniform among the schools in the
district." /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.