The school calendar shall accommodate the education program of the school district.  The school calendar shall be for a minimum of two-hundred days and include, but not be limited to, the days for student instruction, staff development, in-service days and teacher conferences.

The academic school year for students shall be for a minimum of one-hundred and eighty days in the school calendar.  The academic school year for students may not begin prior to September but may begin in the week in which September 1 falls unless a waiver is obtained from the Iowa Department of Education.  Should September 1 fall on a Sunday, school may begin any day during the calendar week which immediately precedes September 1.  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 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 shall be 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.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.10, 280.3 (1995).
                                       281 I.A.C. 12.2(1).

Cross Reference:  501.3  Compulsory Attendance
                                       601.2  School Day
                                       603.3  Special Education

Approved 7/10/89      
Reviewed 11/15/21                                         
Revised  10/9/95 

The student school day for grades one through twelve shall consist of a minimum of five and one-half hours, not including the lunch period.  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 shall meet the requirements as established for the operation of accredited schools.  Kindergarten will consist of a minimum of 13.5 hours of instruction each week.

The board may define the number of days kindergarten will be held and the length of each school day for the students attending kindergarten.  The school day shall consist of a schedule as recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.

The school district may also record a day of school with less than the minimum instructional hours if the total hours of instructional time for grades one through twelve in any five consecutive school days equals a minimum of twenty-seven and one-half hours, even though any one day of school is less than the minimum instructional hours because of a staff development opportunity provided for the instructional staff or parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day.  If the total hours of instructional time for the first four consecutive days equal at least twenty-seven and one-half hours because parent-teacher conferences have been scheduled beyond the regular school day, the school district may record zero hours of instructional time on the fifth consecutive school day as a school day.  Schedule revisions and changes in time allotments will be made by the superintendent.

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.  The Superintendent 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 annually of the length of the school day.

Legal Reference:  34 C.F.R. sec. 300
                                        28C.F.R. pt. 35
                                        Iowa Code §§ 279.8 (1995).
                                        281 I.A.C. 12.2(2), .2(3), .2(6).

Cross Reference:  601.1  School Calendar

Approved 7/10/89        
Reviewed 11/15/21           
Revised 08/24/20