Senator MARTIN proposed the following amendment (419R060.SP.SRM):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 49, relating to school start date, and inserting:

/SECTION4 9.Section 59-1-425(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-1-425.(A) A local school district board of trustees of the State has the authority to establish an annual school calendar f or teachers, staff, and students; to establish the opening date for students; and to establish the school term for the district. The statutory school term is one hundred ninety days annually and 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. Three days of the school term must be used for collegial professional development based upon the educational standards as required by Section 59-18-300. The professional development 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 of the school term may be used for preparation of opening of schools and the remaining five days of the school term 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." /