WAIVE MINIMUM NUMBER OF SCHOOL DAYS
House Bill 4462
Sponsor: Rep. Tom Meyer
Committee: Education
Complete to 3-19-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4462 AS INTRODUCED 3-13-01
Under the Revised School Code (MCL 380.12.84), public schools are required to offer a certain number of days and hours of pupil instruction in order to be eligible for state aid. For many years, the minimum number of school days in Michigan was 180. However, over a ten year period that began in the fall of 1997 and will end in the fall of 2006, the minimum number of school days will increase to 190, as one day is added each year. (The number of instructional hours also increases over the ten years, from 900 to 1,140.)
Under the State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1701), a two-day grace period is provided so that the minimum number of days can be waived. Specifically and under the law, the first two days for which pupil instruction is not provided because of conditions not within the control of school authorities, such as severe storms, fires, epidemic, or health considerations, are counted as days of pupil instruction. However, subsequent days that school is closed because of these conditions are not counted. In such instances, the school year is extended in order that school aid not be reduced.
House Bill 4462 would amend the State School Aid Act of 1979 to waive the minimum days of instruction for the current school year, if the days lost were due to severe storms. Specifically, the bill would require that for the 2000-2001 school year only, the first five days on which pupil instruction was not provided because of conditions not within the control of school authorities, such as severe storms, fires, epidemics, or health conditions as defined by the city, county, or state health authorities, would be counted as days of pupil instruction.
MCL 388.1701
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.