IC/ICA - School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time

Prior to the end of the school year, the Board shall determine the length of time during which district schools shall be in session during the next school year. The number of hours/days of planned teacher-student instruction and of teacher-student contact shall be consistent with the Board's definition of "actively engaged in the educational process," must meet or exceed the requirements of state law and must include a sufficient number of days to allow the Superintendent flexibility in preparing a calendar that supports the district's educational objectives.

The Board defines "actively engaged in the educational process" as time when students are working toward achieving educational objectives under the supervision of a licensed teacher, including:

•  classroom instruction time
•  individual student work time while at school, including study hall and library research
•  school-related field trips
•  independent study insofar as such study is allowed under district policy
•  assemblies
•  passing periods

"Actively engaged in the educational process" does not include:

•  lunch
• time students spend before school waiting for classes to begin and time after the last class of the day, including waiting for the bus
• recess time
• teacher preparation time

Supervision by a licensed teacher shall not require that the teacher be in the student's physical presence at all times, but that the teacher is exercising direction and control over the nature of the student's activities.

The district calendar for the next immediate school year must be prepared by the Superintendent and presented to the Board for approval. The superintendent shall consult with other districts in the area when preparing the calendar.

The Board authorizes the administration in each school building to issue a school calendar based on the district calendar and in accordance with this policy. Administrators are encouraged to examine instruction time and calendar issues in the context of supporting the district's educational objectives.

Calendars shall include the dates for all staff in-service programs scheduled for the upcoming school year. The administration will allow public input from parents and teachers prior to scheduling the dates for staff in-service programs.

A copy of the calendar must be provided to all parents/guardians of students enrolled in district schools. Any change in the calendar except for emergency closings or other unforeseen circumstances shall be preceded by adequate and timely notice of no less than 30 days.

Adopted:  June 23, 1987
Revised:  May 1994
Revised and recoded:  March 26, 2010
Revised:  October 9, 2018
Revised:  September, 28, 2021
Revised:  September 12, 2023

LEGAL REFS.:  C.R.S. 22-1-112 (school year and national holidays)

C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(n) (duty to determine school year and instruction hours)

C.R.S. 22-33-102 (1) (definition of academic year)

C.R.S. 22-33-104 (1) (compulsory attendance law)

C.R.S. 22-44-115.5 (fiscal emergency)

1 CCR 301-39, Rules 2254-R-2.06 (school year and instruction hours; definition of contact/instruction time)

CROSS REF.:  EBCE, School Closings and Cancellations

JH, Student Absences and Excuses