The bill amends Section 16-2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-2, which pertains to the requirements for city and town schools in terms of the school year and the location and establishment of kindergartens. The amendment introduces flexibility in the scheduling of the school year, allowing school districts to establish a school year equivalent to 180 days through the use of longer school days or a combination of longer and shorter school days. The key requirement is that the school district must provide a minimum of 1,080 school hours in a single school year, regardless of the number of actual school days. The previous requirement of a minimum of six hours per school day has been deleted, and the bill clarifies the intent to permit flexibility in the delivery of educational services while ensuring the provision of the required instructional hours.

The bill also stipulates that school districts intending to utilize this flexibility must submit a detailed school day plan and a proposed school calendar to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education for approval. The commissioner is instructed not to unreasonably deny the plan and/or calendar. Additionally, the bill acknowledges the importance of professional development and allows for the flexible use of early release days for this purpose, provided that the yearly requirement of 1,080 school hours is met. The bill would take effect upon passage and also includes a provision for the department of elementary and secondary education to establish a policy allowing virtual education on days when schools are closed due to emergencies, such as inclement weather.

Statutes affected:
2532  SUB A: 16-2-2
2532: 16-2-2