The school calendar will accommodate the education program of the school district.  The school calendar is for a minimum of 1,080 hours and will include, but not be limited to, the days for student instruction, staff development, in-service days and teacher conferences. Each year the minimum school calendar may include up to 5 days or 30 hours of instruction delivered primarily over the internet.

The academic school year for students will be for a minimum of 1,080 hours in the school calendar.  The academic school year for students will begin no sooner than August 23.  Employees may be required to report to work at the school district prior to this date.

Special education students may attend school on a school calendar different from that of the regular education program consistent with their Individualized Education Program.

The board, in its discretion, may excuse graduating seniors from up to 30 hours toward the 1,080 hours of instruction after the school district requirements for graduation have been met.  The board may also excuse graduating seniors from making up days missed due to inclement weather if the student has met the school district's graduation requirements.

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop the school calendar for recommendation, approval, and adoption by the board annually.

The board may amend the official school calendar when the board considers the change to be in the best interests of the school district's education program.  The board will hold a public hearing on any proposed school calendar prior to adopting the school calendar.

 

Legal Reference:        Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.10, 280.3

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.1(7); 41.106.

 

Cross Reference:        501.03 Compulsory Attendance

                                    601.02 School Day

                                    603.02 Special Education

                                    606.10 Early Release for Seniors

 

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  03/17/2008, 11/20/2017

Revised:  10/15/2012, 08/18/2014, 07/28/2015, 11/21/2022, 10/16/2023

The student school day for grades one through twelve will consist of a minimum of six hours, not including the lunch period.  The school day consists of the schedule of class instruction and class activities as established and sponsored by the school district.  Time during which students are released from school for parent/teacher conferences may be counted as part of the student's instructional time.  The minimum school day will meet the requirements as established for the operation of accredited schools.

The board may define the number of days kindergarten will be held and the length of each school day for the students attending kindergarten.  The school day will consist of a schedule as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.

The school district may also record a day of school with less than the minimum instructional hours if the total hours of instructional time for grades one through twelve in any five consecutive school days equals a minimum of thirty hours, even though any one day of school is less than the minimum instructional hours because of parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day.  If the total hours of instructional time for the first four consecutive days equal at least thirty hours because parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day, the school district may record zero hours of instructional time on the fifth consecutive school day as a school day.  Schedule revisions and changes in time allotments will be made by the superintendent.

When the school is forced to close due to weather or other emergencies, that part of the day during which school was in session, will constitute a school day and the hours attended will be a part of the 1,080-hour requirement.  The superintendent/building principals will create administrative regulations necessary to utilize any remote learning opportunities that are available and permitted by law during the period of closure.  The provision of special education and accommodations for students who have individualized education programs (IEPs) or Section 504 plans during periods of closure will be determined by each respective IEP or Section 504 team.  

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to inform the board annually of the length of the school day.

 

 

Legal Reference:          34 C.F.R. sec. 300

                                    28 C.F.R. pt. 35

                                    Iowa Code § 256.7, 279.8, 10.

                                    281 I.A.C. 12.2(2), .2(3), .2(6).

 

Cross Reference:          601.01 School Calendar

Approved:  11/01/2004

Reviewed:  03/17/2008, 10/15/2012, 11/20/2017

Revised:  08/18/2014, 07/20/2020, 11/21/2022