The school calendar will accommodate the education program of the school district. The school calendar is for a minimum of 1080 hours and includes, but is not limited to, the days for student instruction, staff development, in-service days and teacher conferences.
The academic school year for students shall 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 five days or 30 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 is 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 shall hold a public hearing on any proposed school calendar prior to adopting the school calendar.
Date Board Adopted: 12/19/2017
Date Board Updated/Reviewed:03/14/2022
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.10, 280.3 (2013); 299.1 (2) (2015)
281 I.A.C. 12.1(7); 41.106.
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 or hours shall meet the requirements as established for the operation of accredited schools.
The school day for kindergarten shall comply with the standards set forth by the Iowa Code. The school day shall consist of a schedule as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.
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 if using a day format approved by the board for the school calendar, otherwise 1,080 hours of total instructional time must be met annually. The superintendent or superintendent’s designee will create administrative regulations necessary to utilize any remote learning opportunities that are available and permitted by law during the period of closure. Remote learning opportunities will count toward instructional time requirements as allowed by law. During the time of remote learning, student attendance will be taken, assessments may be administered and grades will count toward students’ cumulative grade point average. 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 shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to inform the board of the status of this policy during the school year.
Legal Reference: 4 C.F.R. sec. 300
28 C.F.R. pt. 35
Iowa Code § 256.7, 279.8, .10.
281 I.A.C. 12.1(1), .1(7-10).
Date Board Adopted: 12/19/2017
Date Board Updated/Reviewed: 03/14/2022