Hold Everything - Governor Bentley Adds Executive Amendment To Proposed School Calendar Changes
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: May 8, 2012
Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday returned House Bill 360 to the Alabama Legislature with an executive amendment that increases flexibility
for local school systems.
The
executive amendment gives school systems the choice of opting out of
new school calendar guidelines established by HB 360. At the same time,
the amendment allows schools to enjoy the flexibility measures detailed
in the bill.
"I
believe local school systems know what's best for the students they
serve, and I believe local school boards should be able to establish
their
own school calendars," Governor Bentley said. "If a local system
determines that the new calendar guidelines are not in the best interest
of local students, my amendment would give that system the ability to
provide notice to the State Superintendent of Education
and opt out of those guidelines."
Governor
Bentley supports flexibility measures that are included in HB 360.
Those measures include the ability for local school systems to adjust
the days or extend the hours set aside for teaching and instructional
time. Such flexibility could greatly help systems amend their school
calendars in situations such as making up weather days.
"The
flexibility component of this bill can be very valuable for local
school systems as they meet the needs of the students they serve,"
Governor
Bentley said. "Let me be clear - the intent of the bill
regarding the school calendar is good, but I also want to make sure
systems have the local control they need. With approval of my amendment, we can emerge with a bill that
gives systems greater flexibility than they've had before."
Members of the Legislature will now consider the amended version of the legislation.
