September 19, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Binsfeld, Myers, Baldeh, Brandtjen, Cabrera, Donovan and Schmidt, cosponsored by Senators Stroebel, Knodl, Hutton, Nass and Taylor. Referred to Committee on Education.
AB435,,22An Act to amend 118.045 (1), 118.045 (2) (a) and (b) and 118.045 (3); and to create 118.045 (1m) of the statutes; relating to: the commencement of the school term for public schools. AB435,,33Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Under current law, public schools are prohibited from starting fall classes until September 1. However, current law allows the Department of Public Instruction to grant a school board request for an exception to this prohibition if DPI determines there are extraordinary reasons for granting the request.
Under this bill, beginning in the 2024-25 school year, public schools are prohibited from starting fall classes until the Monday before Labor Day. Additionally, under the bill, if a public school starts fall classes before Labor Day, the public school must be closed on the Friday before Labor Day. Additionally, in the exceptions to the start date prohibition provided under current law, the bill changes September 1 to the Monday before Labor Day.
AB435,,44The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: AB435,15Section 1. 118.045 (1) of the statutes is amended to read: AB435,,66118.045 (1) Except as provided in subs. (2) and (3), beginning in the year 2000 2024-25 school year, no public school may commence the school term until September 1 the Monday preceding Labor Day. AB435,27Section 2. 118.045 (1m) of the statutes is created to read: AB435,,88118.045 (1m) Except as provided in subs. (2) and (3), beginning in the 2024-25 school year, if a public school commences the school term before Labor Day, the public school may not be open for pupil instruction on the Friday preceding Labor Day. AB435,39Section 3. 118.045 (2) (a) and (b) of the statutes are amended to read: AB435,,1010118.045 (2) (a) Holding athletic contests or practices before September 1 the Monday preceding Labor Day. AB435,,1111(b) Scheduling in-service days or work days before September 1 the Monday preceding Labor Day. AB435,412Section 4. 118.045 (3) of the statutes is amended to read: AB435,,1313118.045 (3) A school board may commence the school term before September 1 the Monday preceding Labor Day in any school year if the school board requests the department to allow it to commence the school term before September 1 the Monday preceding Labor Day and the school board includes reasons with its request. The department may grant a request only if it determines that there are extraordinary reasons for granting it. The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this subsection.
