Senator SETZLER proposed the following amendment (419NGS3):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, page 68, by striking Section 59-1-425(A) as contained in SECTION 53 and inserting the following:

/ "Section 59-1-425.(A) A local school district board of trustees of the State 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 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 twelfth, except for schools operating on a year-round modified school calendar. Three days 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 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. A local school district board of trustees must modify the first semester calendar for the purpose of administering exams prior to the beginning of any scheduled December break."