The bill modifies the duties of the state board of education regarding the approval of alternative school year schedules, reducing the minimum number of class days required for public schools from 175 to 165 days. It establishes that the school year must begin after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day, unless an alternative schedule is approved by the state board. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts must hold at least two public meetings to discuss proposed alternative schedules and evaluate their effectiveness annually.

Furthermore, the bill changes the eligibility criteria for school districts to share in the distribution of funds from the foundation account, reducing the required operational days from 185 to 170 days or the equivalent hours under an approved alternative schedule. Importantly, the bill ensures that no teacher's salary will be decreased as a result of these changes, and it is set to take effect for the school year 2026-2027, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-2-304, 21-4-301, 21-13-307