SUMMARY:

Provisions of this bill include: defining the school year for students and teachers; defining the annual school year for payment purposes for school nutrition staff; adding language related to disruption or interference with the operations of school; and providing permissive language as to the closing of school on Veterans Day.

REQUIREMENTS:

• The school day and school year for students in kindergarten, public elementary and secondary schools, students enrolled in residential high school programs for gifted students, and teachers is defined at 180 days or "the equivalent thereof as determined in accordance with State Board of Education guidelines."
• The base payment for full time equivalent school lunch employees shall be calculated on the basis of 1,520 hours in an annual school year.
• It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally or recklessly disrupt or interfere with the operation of any public school, public school bus, or public school bus stop as designated by local school boards of education. 
  • Persons violating this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (the term "of a high and aggravated nature" was removed from the Code).
• Beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, public schools may be closed on Veterans Day.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• Issues related to school closings due to inclement weather etc. are not addressed in the legislation.
• Pending development of State Board guidelines, the bill may allow for extended school days and shorter school weeks.
  • The role of local boards of education in implementing such guidelines is unclear.
• Disruption or interference with the operation of schools, buses, and bus stops is currently classified as a 'misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.'  The bill reduces a violation to a misdemeanor.
• Closing of school on Veterans Day is permissive.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon approval of the Governor or by becoming law without such approval.