CHAPTER 572
FORMERLY SENATE BILL NO. 582
AS AMENDED BY
HOUSE AMENDMENT NO.
AN ACT ADDING A NEW CHAPTER TO TITLE 14, DELAWARE CODE, ENTITLED "UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES".
WHEREAS, the Delaware educational system provides for a ten-month school year reflecting a past agrarian economy; and
WHEREAS, industry and commerce have developed markedly, although the importance of agriculture has by no means diminished; and
WHEREAS, a year-round educational system might better serve our population; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Delaware have expended large sums of public monies, at a local level and State-wide, on fine educational plants; and
WHEREAS, public sentiment seems to dictate a fuller use of these facilities; and
WHEREAS, students who are also gainfully employed would have more opportunities for such employment if the possibilities were extended throughout the year.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Delaware:
Section 1. Amend Title 14, Delaware Code, by adding a new Chapter to read as follows:
CHAPTER 28. UTILIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
§ 2801. Purpose
It is the intent and purpose of this Chapter to encourage the
fuller utilization of the educational plants and staff in the school districts of the State of Delaware.
The School Board of any district may initiate the expansion of a regular school year from 180 day program to 230 day program.
The qualified voters in any school district must, by referendum, approve the proposal of a local school board for expansion of the school year from a 180 day program to 230 day program. Such referendum must be approved at least six months before the implementation of such program.
§ 2804. Rules and Procedures
(a) The State Board of Education must approve such expanded program, by formal resolution, at least three months before such plan is submitted to referendum in the local district. Such approval must be based, in part, on an analysis of a ten-year student population projection for the local district.
(b) Such plan must clearly provide for teacher option for employment, at the salary scale in effect for 180 days or for teacher employment on 230 day basis at 125% of the current salary scale.
(c) Such plan must clearly provide for individual student/parent option for choice of three out of four quarters of instruction.
§ 2805. Special provisions
(a) Any school board may elect to propose a 230 day school system for K-12 or may propose a 230 day system for only Junior High School and High School, or only for High School.
Section 2. Nothing in this Act shall revoke the minimum attendance requirements or the salary schedule in other Chapters of this Title.
Section 3. The effective date of this Act shall be upon signature of the Governor of the State of Delaware.