A bill for an act authorizing school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to apply to the department of education for authorization to maintain a year-round school calendar at an attendance center or school for students enrolled in grades nine through twelve.(See HF 392.)
Summary
House File 120 would expand Iowa’s year-round school calendar authorization to include students in grades 9 through 12. Under current law, school districts and accredited nonpublic schools may seek approval from the Department of Education to operate a year-round calendar only for prekindergarten through grade 8. This bill would amend that authority so that high schools, or individual attendance centers serving high school grades, could also apply for permission to use a year-round schedule.
The bill also preserves the existing procedural requirement that a school board hold a public hearing before submitting an application for year-round calendar approval. The application process itself would remain discretionary and subject to Department of Education approval, rather than creating an automatic right to adopt a year-round calendar.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend Iowa Code section 279.10 to extend year-round calendar eligibility from prekindergarten through grade 8 to prekindergarten through grade 12, specifically adding grades 9 through 12. The practical effect would be to allow public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to seek state approval for year-round scheduling at high school attendance centers, potentially affecting school calendars, staffing patterns, course scheduling, and student attendance structures. It would not require schools to adopt year-round calendars, but would broaden the class of schools that may apply.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support, with the House Education Committee reporting the bill 23-0. No committee transcript is available, but the unanimous committee vote indicates the proposal was viewed favorably at the committee stage. The bill was later withdrawn, so it did not advance to final enactment in the available record.
Contention
No specific opposition or debate is reflected in the provided materials. The main policy issue appears to be whether year-round school calendar authority should be extended to high school grades, which could raise questions about scheduling, instructional continuity, extracurricular activities, and local control. Because the bill required a public hearing and Department of Education approval, any contention would likely center on implementation rather than whether schools should have the option at all.
Similar To
A bill for an act authorizing school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to apply to the department of education for authorization to maintain a year-round school calendar at an attendance center or school for students enrolled in grades nine through twelve. (Formerly HF 120.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
A bill for an act authorizing school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to apply to the department of education for authorization to maintain a year-round school calendar at an attendance center or school for students enrolled in grades nine through twelve. (Formerly HF 120.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
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A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the harassment or bullying of students enrolled in school districts or accredited nonpublic schools. (Formerly HF 149.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.
A bill for an act requiring boards of directors of school districts and the authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to excusing the absences of students enrolled in grades nine through twelve for civic or political events.
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