In a recent government meeting, significant changes to the school code were discussed, particularly regarding instructional days and hours. A new provision allows schools to meet a minimum requirement of either 180 days or 900 instructional hours for elementary students and 990 hours for secondary students. This flexibility aims to accommodate emergencies and potential changes to the school calendar, including the possibility of transitioning to a four-day school week.

The discussion highlighted the need for alignment between the new policy and existing collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). Board members emphasized that any changes to the instructional day or calendar would require amendments to the CBAs, ensuring that teacher compensation and contractual obligations are addressed. The current CBAs are structured around days rather than hours, necessitating a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to clarify how instructional time is calculated.

Additionally, the meeting touched on the implications of these changes for graduation schedules. While no immediate alterations to graduation dates were proposed, the new framework could allow for more flexibility in scheduling, potentially enabling early graduations without compromising required instructional hours.

The meeting also covered updates to emergency preparedness policies, including a shift in terminology from \"local police department\" to \"law enforcement agency\" and the requirement for each district to employ at least one full-time security personnel during school hours. This aligns with recent legislative changes aimed at enhancing school safety.

Overall, the discussions reflect a proactive approach to adapting educational policies to better meet the needs of students and staff while ensuring compliance with legal requirements. The board plans to further explore these topics in upcoming meetings, particularly regarding the integration of new policies with existing contracts.