Senator Hawkins’ School Calendar Bill Moves to Next Step

12th District State Senator Brad Hawkins' Senate Bill 5147 to modify school calendars in response to 'learning loss' is moving to the next step.

The Education Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 5147 and the bipartisan legislation will now go before the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The state funds 180 days of the school year with most school districts in the state operating under a nine month school calendar.

"What I'm trying to encourage my colleagues to consider, and school districts to consider, is take those same 180 days that the state funds and see if we can spread them out over a 10 month or 11 month school calendar," said Hawkins.

Hawkins noted that there would be more breaks in the school year, but shorter in duration.

"We wouldn't have these three month school breaks," said Hawkins. "The reality is if we were to redesign our school calendar anew today, we would never design it with such a long break that basically forces a lot of re-teaching every September."

Hawkins included a financial incentive in the bill for districts that opt to consider an all year school calendar model.

The bill is scheduled for a hearing before the Ways and Means Committee on February 9. The Senate Ways and Means Committee handles the budget for the senate.