The bill amends Section 16-2-2 of the General Laws, which pertains to the requirements for city and town schools in terms of the school year and the provision of educational services. The amendment allows for greater flexibility in scheduling by permitting a combination of longer and shorter school days, as opposed to the previous requirement of a minimum of six hours per school day. The key objective is to ensure that school districts provide a minimum of one thousand eighty (1,080) school hours in a single school year, even if the total number of separate days is less than one hundred eighty. The bill removes the previous language that was based on a minimum of six hours per school day and the language that suggested the intent was to reduce the number of days the school facilities must be fully staffed and maintained.

Additionally, the bill specifies 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 the calendar. Furthermore, 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 one thousand eighty (1,080) school hours is met. The bill also maintains the requirement for school facilities to include a sufficient number of kindergartens and establishes a policy for virtual education to be used during inclement weather or other emergencies, subject to approval. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8103  SUB A: 16-2-2
8103: 16-2-2