1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; making an exception to the school start date for school 
1.3 	districts that suffer natural disasters;amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 
1.4 	120A.40.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120A.40, is amended to read:
1.7 	120A.40 SCHOOL CALENDAR.
1.8 	(a) Except for learning programs during summer, flexible learning year programs 
1.9 	authorized under sections 124D.12 to 124D.127, and learning year programs under section 
1.10 	124D.128, a district must not commence an elementary or secondary school year before 
1.11 	Labor Day, except as provided under paragraph (b). Days devoted to teachers' workshops 
1.12 	may be held before Labor Day. Districts that enter into cooperative agreements are 
1.13 	encouraged to adopt similar school calendars.
1.14 	(b) A district may begin the school year on any day before Labor Day:
1.15 	(1) to accommodate a construction or remodeling project of $400,000 or more 
1.16 	affecting a district school facility;
1.17 	(2) if the district has an agreement under section 123A.30, 123A.32, or 123A.35 
1.18 	with a district that qualifies under clause (1); or
1.19 	(3) if the district agrees to the same schedule with a school district in an adjoining 
1.20 	state; or
1.21 	(4) if the district canceled at least two instructional school days in the previous 
1.22 	school year because of a flood, tornado, or fire.

1.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.