Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:778 Ratification Number:523 Act Number:503 Primary Sponsor:Setzler Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Schools, instructional day, early dismissal Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19940526 Computer Document Number:CYY/15390SD.93 Governor's Action:S Date of Governor's Action:19940901 Introduced Date:19930518 Date of Last Amendment:19940517 Last History Body:------ Last History Date:19940901 Last History Type:Act No. 503 Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Setzler Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved
---- ------ ------------ ------------------------------ --- ------------
778 ------ 19940901 Act No. 503
778 ------ 19940901 Signed by Governor
778 ------ 19940602 Ratified R 523
778 Senate 19940526 Concurred in House amendment,
enrolled for ratification
778 House 19940518 Read third time, returned to
Senate with amendment
778 House 19940517 Amended, read second time
778 House 19940426 Committee Report: Favorable 21
with amendment
778 House 19940224 Introduced, read first time, 21
referred to Committee
778 Senate 19940223 Read third time, sent to House
778 Senate 19940222 Amended, read second time
778 Senate 19940127 Committee Report: Favorable 04
with amendment
778 Senate 19930518 Introduced, read first time, 04
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
(A503, R523, S778)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-1-440, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MINIMUM HOURS AND USE OF THE SCHOOL DAY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE REQUIRED INSTRUCTIONAL DAY OF SIX HOURS MAY ALSO CONSIST OF A WEEKLY EQUIVALENT, TO PROVIDE THAT BEFORE VARYING THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL DAY, CONSULTATION MUST BE MADE WITH PARENTS AND FACULTY AND APPROVAL FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES OBTAINED, TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS MAY REDUCE THE LENGTH OF THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY, AND TO PROVIDE AN APPROVAL PROCEDURE FOR THE EARLY DISMISSAL OF SCHOOLS NECESSITATED BY EMERGENCY CONDITIONS AND THAT THE DAYS MISSED ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE MADE UP IF THE EARLY DISMISSAL IS APPROVED.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Varying the instructional day
SECTION 1. Section 59-1-440 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 59-1-440. The instructional day for secondary students must be at least six hours a day, or its equivalent weekly, excluding lunch. The school day for elementary students must be at least six hours a day, or its equivalent weekly, including lunch. Before varying the length of the school day, the administration must consult with the affected parents of students and school faculty, and obtain authorization to vary the length of the school day from the school district board of trustees.
Elementary and secondary schools may reduce the length of the instructional day to not less than three hours on not more than three days each school year for staff development or for the purpose of administering end-of-semester and end-of-year examinations.
The early dismissal of schools necessitated by emergency conditions related to weather or other extreme circumstances affecting the health, safety, and welfare of students must be reported in writing to the Director of the Office of Organizational Development of the Department of Education within ten days of the conclusion of the emergency for approval. The report must include a justification for the early dismissal. If approved, the day or days missed are not required to be made up. During the first three school years of implementation of this approval provision, the schools dismissing early and number of days approved to not be made up must be reported by the State Superintendent of Education to the Senate Education Committee and the House Education and Public Works Committee.
Priority during the instructional day must be given to teaching and learning tasks. Class interruptions must be limited only to emergencies. Volunteer blood drives as determined by the principal may be conducted at times which would not interfere with classroom instruction such as study period, lunch period, and before and after school."
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Approved the 1st day of September, 1994.