MO HB849

Allows school boards to establish four-day school weeks or other calendars with fewer than 174 days if a majority votes to authorize, provided the calendar includes a minimum of 142 days and 1,044 hours of actual pupil attendance.

Requires districts operating on reduced calendars to revert to a 174-day school year if they meet at least two fewer performance standards on two successive annual performance reports compared to reports before implementing the reduced calendar.

Changes the earliest allowable school opening date to the first Tuesday after Labor Day, with districts able to open earlier only through a public meeting and majority board vote; eliminates the previous ten-day prior-to-Labor-Day threshold.

Maintains the requirement of six make-up days for weather-related closures, with districts required to make up half of additional days lost beyond six days to ensure minimum 142 days and 1,044 hours of attendance.

Allows the Commissioner of Education to waive minimum calendar requirements for year-round schools unable to meet standards due to circumstances beyond district control such as inclement weather, flooding, or fire.