00Enrolled SB 239                                                                                                         
01 Relating to the required number of days or hours in session in a school year; and providing for                         
02 an effective date.                                                                                                      
03                           _______________                                                                               
04    * Section 1.  AS 14.03.030 is amended to read:                                                                     
05            Sec. 14.03.030.  School term.  A school term begins and ends on the dates                                  
06       fixed by the governing body of a school district.  A school term shall include not less                           
07       than 180 days in session [,] unless, with the approval of the commissioner,                                   
08                 (1)  a day used for in-service training of teachers is substituted for a day                            
09       in session, up to a maximum of 10 days;                                                                           
10                 (2)  an "emergency closure day" is substituted for a day in session                                     
11       because of conditions posing a threat to the health or safety of students; or                                 
12                 (3)  [A SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTS A SCHOOL TERM OF NOT                                                        
13       LESS THAN 150 DAYS FOR A SCHOOL IF THE COMMISSIONER FINDS                                                         
14       THAT                                                                                                              

01                      (A)  THE SHORTER TERM IS NECESSARY FOR                                                             
02            ABATING HEALTH HAZARDS IN THE SCHOOL; AND                                                                    
03                      (B)  THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS SUBMITTED AN                                                             
04            ACCEPTABLE PLAN UNDER WHICH STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THE                                                        
05            APPROXIMATE EDUCATIONAL EQUIVALENT OF A 180-DAY TERM;                                                        
06            OR                                                                                                           
07                 (4)]  the school board adopts a different school term that includes at                          
08       least 740 hours of instruction and study periods for pupils in kindergarten, first                            
09       grade, second grade, and third grade and at least 900 hours of instruction and                                
10       study periods for pupils in grades four through 12 [OF NOT LESS THAN 170                                      
11       DAYS FOR A SCHOOL] if the commissioner finds that the school board has                                          
12       submitted an acceptable plan under which students will receive the approximate                                    
13       educational equivalent of a 180-day term.                                                                         
14    * Sec. 2.  The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                         
15 read:                                                                                                                   
16       RETROACTIVITY.  Section 1 of this Act is retroactive to July 1, 2003.                                             
17    * Sec. 3.  This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).