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TO PROVIDE FOR THE WAIVER OF FIVE OR FEWER DAYS THAT SCHOOLS IN COUNTIES FOR WHICH FEDERAL MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS WERE MADE AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE MATTHEW, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THESE WAIVERS ARE AVAILABLE IN ADDITION TO THOSE AVAILABLE BY STATUTE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THESE WAIVERS MAY BE MADE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE SCHOOLS FOR WHICH A WAIVER IS SOUGHT HAS MADE UP THREE FULL DAYS, OR THE EQUIVALENT NUMBER OF HOURS, MISSED DUE TO SNOW, EXTREME WEATHER, OR OTHER DISRUPTIONS REQUIRING THE SCHOOL TO CLOSE DURING THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR.
Whereas, in October 2016 the State of South Carolina endured extreme weather and resulting disastrous effects due to Hurricane Matthew, the first Category Five Atlantic Hurricane since 2007; and
Whereas, approximately 473,000 households lost power in South Carolina, significant flooding occurred, and many roads were rendered impassable; and
Whereas, in recognition of the severity and magnitude of this disaster, the President made a declaration of a major disaster for twenty-one counties in South Carolina; and
Whereas, schools in these districts closed for varying numbers of days in the days surrounding Hurricane Matthew's landfall, and the unique circumstances of this natural disaster merit the waiving of some of these school closing days. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-1-425, the governing bodies of the school districts in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Calhoun, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter, and Williamsburg Counties may waive the requirement that the respective schools in those districts make up full days missed due to inclement weather for five or fewer full school days that students who attend schools or charter schools in their respective districts missed due to Hurricane Matthew in October of 2016. These waivers are available in addition to the existing waiver provisions of Section 59-1-425, and may be made regardless of whether a school that closed has made up three full days, or the equivalent number of hours, missed due to snow, extreme weather, or other disruptions requiring the school to close during the 2016-2017 school year. When a district waives a make-up day pursuant to this joint resolution, the make-up day also is waived for any student participating in a home schooling program approved by the board of trustees of the district in which the student resides.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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