Senator HEMBREE proposed the following amendment (419R093.SP.GH):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking SECTION 52, relating to Section 59-19-350(A), and inserting:

/ SECTION 52.Section 59-19-350(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-19-350. (A) (1)(a)A local school district board of trustees of this State desirous of creating an avenue for new, innovative, and more flexible ways of educating children within their district, may create a school schools of choice innovation within the district that is are exempt from state statutes which govern other schools in the district and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education. To achieve the status of exemption from specific statutes and regulations, the local board of trustees, at a public meeting, shall identify specific statutes and regulations which will be considered for exemption. The exemption may be granted by the governing board of the district only if there is a two-thirds affirmative vote of the board for each exemption and the proposed exemption is approved by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the State Board of Education.

(b) If there is an opening start date provided in statute, then the provisions of subitem (a) do not apply. A school of innovation cannot be exempt from a statutory opening-date requirement unless the district establishes a twelve-month calendar that incurs no more than a break of five consecutive weeks during the twelve-month calendar.

(2) Nothing in this section permits a local school district board of trustees to relinquish control of the schools created pursuant to item (1)." /

Amend the bill further, as and if amended, SECTION 53, relating to Section 59-1-425(A), and inserting:

/SECTION 53.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 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 fifteenth, except for schools operating on a year-round modified school calendar. If August fifteenth falls on a weekday other than a Monday, then the opening start date must not be before the preceeding Monday. If August fifteenth falls on a weekend, then the opening start date must not be before the subsequent Monday. 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." /