Summary of the Committee Version of the Bill

HCS HB 274 -- INCLEMENT WEATHER EXCEPTIONS FOR MANDATORY SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE

SPONSOR:  Franklin (Shields)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Education-Elementary and Secondary by a vote of 23 to 0.

This substitute amends an exception to the mandatory days of
school attendance that currently refers to exceptions allowed
because of flooding in specific past years to apply to inclement
weather in the 2000-2001 school year.  The section currently
permits districts to reduce the year by 11 days; the substitute
changes this to up to 5 days when a district has missed more
than 7 days overall after November 20, 2000.  The reduction of
days will be on a one-for-one basis, from one day for 8 days
missed up to 5 days for 12 or more days missed.  The requirement
for scheduling two-thirds of the missed days into the next
year's calendar will be waived for the 2001-2002 school year.

The substitute contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that some districts have missed so
much school this year that the end of school will run into the
beginning of summer school and continuing professional education
for teachers.  If the days required to be scheduled into the
next year's calendar are not reduced or forgiven, summer school
will then run into the opening of the next school year.
Overall, safety is a major factor; districts shouldn't have to
risk running buses on questionable days in order to avoid having
to make up days.

Testifying for the bill were Representatives Shields and Lawson;
Missouri State Teachers Association; Missouri School Board
Association; Missouri Council of School Administrators; Missouri
National Education Association; and Missouri Federation of
Teachers.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst


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Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:43 am