H 3508 Joint Resolution, By Allison, Henegan, Brown and Whipper
 A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE OPENING DATE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR MAY BE AS EARLY AS THURSDAY,
 AUGUST SEVENTEENTH, AT THE ELECTION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

   01/18/17  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 10)
   01/18/17  House  Referred to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works (House Journal-page 10)
   01/24/17  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Henegan
   01/26/17  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Brown, Whipper
   02/09/17  House  Committee report: Favorable with amendment
                     Education and Public Works (House Journal-page 2)
   02/16/17  House  Debate adjourned until Tues., 2-21-17
                     (House Journal-page 29)
   02/21/17  House  Debate adjourned until Wed., 2-2-17
                     (House Journal-page 18)
   02/22/17  House  Recommitted to Committee on Education and Public
                     Works (House Journal-page 21)

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 9, 2017

H. 3508

S. Printed 2/9/17--H.

Read the first time January 18, 2017.

To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H. 3508) to provide that the opening date for students to attend public schools during the 2017-2018 School Year may be as early as Thursday, August seventeenth, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the joint resolution, as and if amended, by deleting all after the enacting words and inserting:

/SECTION    1.    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-1-425(A) regarding the opening date for students to attend public schools, a local school board may choose Thursday, August 17, 2017, as the opening date for students attending schools in the district. Schools that open prior to the third Monday in August must provide grade appropriate science, mathematics, and other relevant instruction to students regarding the solar eclipse. Students must be provided the opportunity to safely observe the eclipse prior to and during totality. These provisions only apply to the 2017-2018 School Year.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

MERITA A. ALLLISON for Committee.

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

Introduced on January 18, 2017

State Expenditure

House Bill 3508 allows public school districts to set August 17, 2017 as the opening date of the 2017-2018 school year rather than the third Monday in August. The Department of Education indicates the bill does not operationally or fiscally impact the department or local school districts. Therefore, the bill does not have an expenditure or revenue impact on the general fund, federal funds, or other funds.

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

TO PROVIDE THAT THE OPENING DATE FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR MAY BE AS EARLY AS THURSDAY, AUGUST SEVENTEENTH, AT THE ELECTION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Whereas, on Monday, August 21, 2017, South Carolina will be in the path of the largest total solar eclipse experienced in North America since February 1978, providing a rare learning opportunity for people in the Palmetto State; and

Whereas, to capitalize on the potential educational value of this eclipse, South Carolina public school districts should be given the flexibility to move their opening dates to before the eclipse. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-1-425(A) regarding the opening date for students to attend public schools, a local school board may choose Thursday, August 17, 2017, as the opening date for students attending schools in the district. These provisions only apply to the 2017-2018 School Year.

SECTION    2.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.