Whereas, the recent increase in oil prices has had a harsh effect on the budgets of schools as the price of gasoline and heating fuel has increased significantly; and

Whereas, this legislation would allow schools to alter the number of days that they are required to be in session, thus reducing fuel costs; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4801, sub-§1, ¶F is enacted to read:

F.__The commissioner may reduce the minimum number of instructional days required pursuant to this subsection during times of emergency, as declared by the Governor, including, but not limited to, a severe increase in the price of or shortage of gasoline and heating fuel.__The commissioner may authorize a school board to extend the length of the instructional day so that it approximately offsets the reduction in the total number of instructional days pursuant to this paragraph.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the Commissioner of Education, in times of emergency, as declared by the Governor, to reduce the total number of instructional days a school is required to be in session. The commissioner may also authorize a school board to offset, approximately, the reduction in instructional days through an increase in the length of the instructional day that the school is actually in session.