1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the first day of instruction of a school year for
1-3 public school students.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 25, Education Code, is
1-6 amended by adding Section 25.0811 to read as follows:
1-7 Sec. 25.0811. FIRST DAY OF INSTRUCTION. (a) A school
1-8 district may not begin instruction for students for a school year
1-9 before the week in which August 21 falls. For purposes of this
1-10 subsection, Sunday is considered the first day of the week.
1-11 (b) If a school district intends to apply under Section
1-12 7.056 for a waiver of the prohibition prescribed by Subsection (a),
1-13 the district must:
1-14 (1) at least 60 days before the date the district
1-15 submits the application for the waiver, publish notice in a
1-16 newspaper having general circulation in the district:
1-17 (A) stating that the district intends to apply
1-18 for a waiver of the prohibition concerning the date of the first
1-19 day of instruction for students; and
1-20 (B) specifying the date on which the district
1-21 intends to begin instruction for students; and
1-22 (2) hold a public hearing concerning the date of the
1-23 first day of instruction for students.
1-24 (c) The application for a waiver of the prohibition
1-25 prescribed by Subsection (a) must include a summary of the opinions
2-1 expressed at the public hearing held under Subsection (b)(2),
2-2 including any consensus of opinion expressed concerning the date of
2-3 the first day of instruction for students.
2-4 SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 25.084, Education Code,
2-5 is amended to read as follows:
2-6 (a) A school district may operate its schools year-round on
2-7 either a single-track or a multitrack calendar. If a school
2-8 district adopts a year-round system, the district may modify:
2-9 (1) the number of contract days of employees and the
2-10 number of days of operation, including any time required for staff
2-11 development, planning and preparation, and continuing education,
2-12 otherwise required by law;
2-13 (2) testing dates, data reporting, and related
2-14 matters; [and]
2-15 (3) the date of the first day of instruction of the
2-16 school year under Section 25.0811 for a school that was operating
2-17 year-round for the 2000-2001 school year; and
2-18 (4) a student's eligibility to participate in
2-19 extracurricular activities when the student's calendar track is not
2-20 in session.
2-21 SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2002-2003
2-22 school year.
2-23 SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 108 passed the Senate on
March 27, 2001, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate concurred
in House amendments on May 24, 2001, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 108 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 16, 2001, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor