MN HF2481

School boards may establish flexible learning year programs without requiring approval from the commissioner of education, effective for the 2019-2020 school year and later.

Four-day week schedules must be approved by the school board instead of the commissioner, and districts with approved four-day week plans in 2014-2015 may continue through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

Flexible learning year program options include 45-15 plans, four-quarter plans, quinmester plans, extended learning year plans, and flexible all-year plans.

The commissioner of education must amend Minnesota Rules, part 3500.1000, to remove authority over approving or disapproving school district flexible learning year programs.

School boards retain the ability to terminate flexible learning year programs, and the commissioner must still supervise programs for compliance with statutory provisions and provide adjustments for attendance, membership computations, and state aid apportionment.