Politics & Government

Governor signs Picard bill letting schools schedule year based on hours, not days

A bill sponsored by Sen. Roger A. Picard to allow school districts to schedule less than 180 school days a year as long as they maintain a minimum of 1080 instruction hours has been signed into law.

The bill (2013-S 0116A), signed by the governor Tuesday, gives school districts the chance to save money by staying open for fewer days while still educating their students, says the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Roger Picard (D-Dist. 20, WoonsocketCumberland).

Currently, Rhode Island public schools must be open for a minimum of 180 days in a school year. Assuming a six-hour school day, this totals 1080 hours of instruction. Under SenatorPicard’s bill, which takes effect Jan. 1, schools will no longer need to meet the strict 180-day minimum as long as students still have at least 1080 hours of school.

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“We all know the budget difficulties that school districts face today,” said Senator Picard. “My bill gives schools more flexibility, as long as they maintain students’ total learning time. If they find a creative way to save money while providing excellent education, such as longer but fewer school days, or scheduling breaks at times that let them save on heat, under this bill, they would be able to pursue that idea.”

Any school district wishing to schedule 1080 school hours in less than 180 days would have to submit a detailed daily plan as well as a proposed school calendar to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education for approval. The commissioner would review the plan to ensure that it is both financially efficient and academically sound, and could then approve or deny the plan on these criteria.

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A law similar to Senator Picard’s bill was passed in 2005 in Montana with bipartisan legislative approval. Recently, the Iowa House of Representatives also passed a bill allowing their public schools to schedule 1080 school hours in fewer than 180 days.

“Especially in my hometown of Woonsocket, the school district has to be able to save money while still providing students with a quality education,” said Senator Picard. “Our students are our main priority. We have to do anything we can to help schools stay on budget while still giving students the education they deserve.”


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