This bill amends West Virginia Code §18-5-45 to increase the number of non-traditional instruction days a county board can utilize from five to ten days when schools are closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. These non-traditional instruction days will still be considered instructional days, provided that the county board's plan for delivering instruction through alternative methods is approved by the state board. The bill also includes definitions for terms such as "instructional day," "co-curricular activities," and "instruction delivered through alternative methods," while making technical corrections to existing language.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that out-of-calendar days cannot be used to offset the loss of separate instructional days, ensuring that these days remain distinct from the instructional calendar. The county board is required to develop a policy to recover lost instructional time and must secure approval from the state board for its proposed school calendar. The bill emphasizes the importance of public engagement by requiring at least two public meetings for stakeholders to discuss the school calendar before it is finalized.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-45
Committee Substitute: 18-5-45