Compulsory Attendance

What are the key provisions of SB 64?

Section 160.041 - Adds inclement weather to the list of reasons that the Commissioner of Education may reduce the required number of hours and days for the "minimum school day," "school month" and "school year." Excessive heat is excluded from the definition of inclement weather.

Section 161.375 - Authorizes DESE to develop standards for high quality mentoring for beginning teachers and beginning principals.

Section 167.121 - Mandates that a district that scores unaccredited or provsionally accredited, or a combination thereof, on two consecutive annual performance reports must pay the cost for resident students who elect to attend the Missouri virtual school.

Section 171.031 - Mandates that school districts include in their annual calendar, six makeup days for loss of attendance due to inclement weather. School districts are required to make up the first six days of school lost or canceled due to inclement weather and half the number of days lost or canceled in excess of six days. School districts are required to set an opening date no earlier than ten calendar days prior to the first Monday in September, unless the local school board approves an earlier start date after a public hearing and vote.

When will SB 64 become effective?

SB 64 will become effective on August 28, 2007.

Does SB 64 affect current school start dates adopted by school districts?

No. School districts that have already adopted a calendar for the 2007-2008 school year would not have to amend those calendars.

Does the amendment to Section 160.041 authorize the Commissioner of Education to waive the mandate for 1044 hours and 174 days in the school term?

Yes. Section 160.041 has been amended to authorize the Commissioner of Education to reduce the number of hours and days in the school term, if inclement weather prevents students from attending the public school facility. Prior to SB 64, this waiver was limited to flooding. Inclement weather is defined in Section 171.033 as ice, snow, extreme cold, flooding or tornados, but does not include excessive heat. It has been the practice of the Commissioner of Education to limit this waiver to extraordinary circumstances.

Can the public hearing required under Section 171.031 be held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled school board meeting?

Yes. Section 171.031 requires a public hearing but does not preclude a district from considering the issue in a regularly scheduled school board meeting. School boards could take public comment on the issue during a regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The key requirements are public notice of the meeting and the ability of the public to comment on the proposed opening date of school.