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An Act To Calculate the School Year by Number of Hours
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  weather, failure of heating systems or other extraordinary events may necessitate a school board to alter the school calendar; and
Whereas,  allowing the Commissioner of Education to approve alternatives to the minimum number of school days offers a school board flexibility in adjusting the calendar to best meet students' needs; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4801, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 693, §§5 and 8, is amended to read:
 
A.  The commissioner may reduce or waive the minimum number of days required on application from a school board. The commissioner may authorize an equivalent number of hours to be substituted for days for a limited time period upon application from a school board. The application must be supported in writing with a statement of the reasons for the request.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective May 8, 2009.