HB288 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul DeMarco

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Phil WilliamsWayne JohnsonJohn MerrillJim CarnsBarry MooreDickie DrakeLaura HallMike BallJim PattersonDan WilliamsArthur PayneHoward SanderfordMac McCutcheonAlan HarperJack Williams

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Flexible School Calendar Act, local board of education may opt out of calendar parameters by written notices to State Superintendent of Education, Sec. 16-13-231, as amended by Act 2012-482, 2012 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

HB288 would let local school boards opt out of the temporary Flexible School Calendar by written notice, while preserving a state funding framework that requires at least 180 instructional days and ties funding to local taxes and student needs.

What This Bill Does

It allows city or county boards of education to opt out of the temporary calendar parameters by notifying the State Superintendent. It maintains the Foundation Program funding structure, including a minimum 180 instructional days term and formulas for salaries, fringe benefits, instructional support, and other expenses. It gives boards flexibility to adjust days or extend hours to meet the 180-day minimum, with emergency provisions to extend time or seek relief during statewide emergencies, and preserves local funding requirements and annual reporting to the State Board of Education.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education (city or county) may opt out of the temporary calendar parameters by written notice and must still operate under the Foundation Program funding rules and local funding requirements.
• Teachers, students, and school staff are affected by the calendar flexibility, funding allocations, salary guarantees (minimum salary schedule), and the need to meet the 180-instructional-day minimum or its hour-based equivalent.

Key Provisions

• Local boards may opt out of the temporary academic calendar parameters by providing written notice to the State Superintendent of Education.
• The bill clarifies that although it changes local expenditures, it falls within exceptions to Amendment 621, so it does not require a 2/3 vote or local entity approval to become law.
• Foundation Program Fund provisions require a minimum of 180 instructional days (or hourly equivalent) and allocate funds to local boards to support this term, with funding formulas based on teacher salaries, fringe benefits, classroom instructional support, and other expenses.
• Local boards must meet local funding requirements (tax receipts equivalent to specified mills) to share in Foundation Program funds, with compliance determined by the State Superintendent and allocations made monthly.
• Calendar flexibility allows adjusting days or extending hours to meet the 180-day minimum, with emergency procedures to extend time during natural or health-related disruptions and Governor-declared emergencies.
• Local boards must submit detailed plans and programs (building, transportation, professional development, technology, services for disabilities, vocational education, at-risk programs) and provide annual reporting on fund allocation and use to the State Board of Education.

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