SB517 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Foundation Program Fund, local boards of education authorized to establish local school calendar providing 180 instructional days for computation of benefits, Flexible School Calendar Act, Sec. 16-13-231 am'd.; Act 2011-235, 2011 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

SB517 creates a Flexible School Calendar that requires local districts to use 180 instructional days (or equivalent hours) for Foundation Program funding and allows flexible start/end dates and extended hours, with emergency relief provisions.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires each local board of education to establish a calendar with 180 full instructional days (or hourly equivalents) for Foundation Program Fund calculations, and sets start and end date parameters for instruction (first day no earlier than two weeks before Labor Day and last day no later than the Friday before Memorial Day). It allows boards to make up cancelled days by extending hours or days in response to emergencies, with relief if a state emergency is declared. It also updates how Foundation Program Fund costs are calculated (including teacher salaries, fringe benefits, classroom support, and other current expenses) and requires a minimum local funding effort and equitable distribution of funds, along with annual reporting on fund allocations. Finally, it notes the changes fall under constitutional exceptions that avoid a 2/3-vote requirement for local expenditures.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education in Alabama: must adopt and manage a flexible local calendar, adjust days/hours, and report fund allocations.
• Students and families in Alabama public schools: calendars and school start/end dates may change, affecting when classes begin and end and how long instructional days are.

Key Provisions

• Requires local boards to establish a local calendar with 180 full instructional days or the hourly equivalent for Foundation Program Fund calculations.
• Sets calendar start/end rules: first instructional day no earlier than the Monday two calendar weeks before Labor Day and last instructional day no later than the Friday before Memorial Day.
• Permits making up cancelled days by extending hours or days; includes relief provisions during governor-declared emergencies.
• From the 2012-2013 school year, gives local boards greater flexibility to adjust the number of days or hours while maintaining the minimum term.
• States the bill is exempt from the Amendment 621 two-thirds voting requirement due to specified exceptions, despite creating a local expenditure.
• Amends Foundation Program Fund calculations to specify allowable costs (teacher salaries, fringe benefits, classroom instructional support, other current expenses) and requires a minimum local tax effort and equitable distribution to schools, with annual reporting.
• Effective date: begins on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education