HB543 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve HurstRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Randy DavisJamie IsonJim McClendonJim Barton

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Public schools, K-12 instructional days, 180 instructional days or hourly equivalent for Foundation Program, local board of education with approval of State Superintendent of Education authorized to make up cancelled instructional days by adjusting the hours of actual instruction, flexibility for local boards of education in establishing school calendar by instructional hours and date parameters, Flexible School Calendar Act, Sec. 16-13-231 am'd.

Summary

HB543 creates the Flexible School Calendar Act, letting local boards adjust instructional hours to make up weather days and set a 180-day (or hourly-equivalent) calendar for Foundation Program funding, with start/end-date rules.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes local boards to replace cancelled instructional days by extending actual teaching hours, with approval from the State Superintendent of Education. It allows local boards to establish a local calendar that provides 180 full instructional days, or the hourly equivalent, for Foundation Program Fund benefits, and sets when academic instruction can start and end. It also notes that while the bill would involve some local funding, it is exempt from certain local-expenditure voting requirements due to specified exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and the State Superintendent of Education – gain authority to adjust calendars and extend hours to make up canceled days and to set a flexible 180-day or hourly-equivalent calendar for Foundation Program funding.
• Public school students and staff (teachers, administrators) – experience potential changes in start and end dates and daily instructional hours, with salary and funding governed by existing state rules and Foundation Program cost structures.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Flexible School Calendar Act; local boards may replace canceled instructional days by extending hours of actual instruction, with approval from the State Superintendent of Education.
• Allows local boards to establish a local calendar providing 180 full instructional days, or the hourly equivalent, for Foundation Program Fund benefits, with specific start and end date parameters for the school year.
• Revises Foundation Program funding requirements to include minimum local effort, equitable fund allocation, and salary standards (at least 100% of the State Minimum Salary Schedule) for teachers; requires reporting on fund allocations to schools.
• States that the bill would involve new or increased local expenditures but is exempt from certain Amendment 621 requirements due to specified exceptions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education