Asked & Answered

Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director

There have been many questions during this legislative session about HB1122 that amends the law concerning the date for the beginning of the school year. The bill requires that the first day of school for public schools be on or after the Monday of the week in which August 19 falls, not earlier than August 14, or later than August 26. Sound familiar? This was the law for years regarding the start date of school prior to a legislative change in 2021. AAEA supported HB1122 and there is good news. The bill was one of the first to be signed into law this legislative session and is now Act 26 It is also good news that the Act includes an emergency clause which means the Act went into effect when the Governor signed it on January 30. So, for the 2023-2024 school year the earliest school can start for students is Monday, August 14. Districts across the state are now setting their 23-24 school calendars with Act 26 in mind. Act 26 did not change other available calendar options. School districts can still establish these calendar types rather than a traditional school calendar.

• Alternate school calendar pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-10-106 as amended by Act 688 of 2021;

• 4 Day week school calendar pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-10-117; or

• 12 Month/Year Round school calendar pursuant to Ark Code Ann. § 6-10-108.

If you have questions for Mike, email him at m.mertens@theaaea.org .