Code No.: 501.13
SCHOOL DAY
The student school day for grades one through twelve will 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 will meet the requirements as established for the operation of accredited schools.
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 will 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. Any day of instruction lost or cancelled because of weather must be made up. If days are made up at the end of the school year, seniors may be excused from making up to five (5) days. If more than five (5) days are missed, seniors who have met the requirements for graduation may be excused from attendance during the extended calendar.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to inform the board annually of the length of the school day.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code 279.10 (2005), 281 I.A.C. 12.2(2), .2(3), .2(6), .2(7)
Approved 5/2/05
Revised 2/18/08
