Butte School District

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2100

School Year Calendar and Day

School Calendar

Subject to §§ 20-1-301 and 20-1-308, MCA, and any applicable collective bargaining agreement covering the employment of affected employees, the trustees of a school district shall set the number of hours in a school term, the length of the school day, and the number of school days in a school week. When proposing to adopt changes to a previously adopted school term, school week, or school day, the trustees shall: Solicit input through a publicly noticed annual meeting.

Commemorative Holidays

The Superintendent or his or her designee shall develop for Board approval appropriate exercises and observances, the purpose of which shall be to educate students regarding the commemorated person or occasion on the following designated commemorative days:

(a) Lincoln's Birthday (February 12);

(b) Washington's Birthday (February 22);

(d) Flag Day (June 14);

(e) Citizenship Day (September 17);

(f) American Indian Heritage Day (fourth Friday in September);

(g) Columbus Day (October 12);

(h) Pioneer Day (November 1);

(i) Freedom Week (last full week of September), to educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of the United States and the values on which the United States was founded;

(j) other days designated by the legislature or governor as legal holidays

Saturday School

In emergencies, including during reasonable efforts of the trustees to make up aggregate hours of instruction lost during a declaration of emergency by the trustees under Section 20-9-806, MCA, pupil instruction may be conducted on a Saturday when it is approved by the trustees.

Pupil instruction may be held on a Saturday at the discretion of a school district for the purpose of providing additional pupil instruction beyond the minimum aggregate hours of instruction required in Section 20-1-301, MCA, provided student attendance is voluntary.

School Fiscal Year

At least the minimum number of aggregate hours must be conducted during each school fiscal year. The minimum aggregate hours required by grade are:

a) A minimum of 360 aggregate hours for a kindergarten program;

b) 720 hours for grades 1 through 3;

c) 1080 hours for grades 4 through 12; and

d) 1050 hours may be sufficient for graduating seniors.

The minimum aggregate hours, described above, are not required for any pupil demonstrating proficiency pursuant to 20-9-311 (4)(d), MCA.

In addition, seven (7) pupil instruction-related days may be scheduled for following purposes:

Pre-school staff orientation for the purpose of organization of the school year;
Staff professional development programs (minimum of three (3) days);
Parent/Teacher Conferences; and
Post-school record and report (not to exceed one (1) day, or one-half (1/2) day at the end of each semester or quarter).

The Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the Superintendent, has established an advisory committee to develop, recommend, and evaluate the school district's yearly professional development plan. Each year the Board of Trustees shall adopt a professional development plan for the subsequent school year based on the recommendation of the advisory committee.

Extended School Year

In accordance with Section 20-1-301, MCA, and any applicable collective bargaining agreement covering the employment of affected employees, the Board of Trustees may establish a school calendar with an earlier start date and a later end date to ensure students receive the minimum number of aggregate instructional hours. The purpose of an extended school year will be to maximize flexibility in the delivery of instruction and learning for each student in the School District. When setting an extended school year, the School District will collaborate with students, parents, employees and other community stakeholders. When proposing to adopt changes to a previously adopted school term, the Board of Trustees will follow the procedures outlined in this policy.