1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; allowing school districts to begin the school year before 
1.3 	Labor Day;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.40.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.40, is amended to read:
1.6 	120A.40 SCHOOL CALENDAR.
1.7 	(a) Except for learning programs during summer, flexible learning year programs 
1.8 	authorized under sections 124D.12 to 124D.127, and learning year programs under section 
1.9 	124D.128, A district must not may commence an elementary or secondary school year 
1.10 	before Labor Day, except as provided under paragraph (b) it shall not hold a school day on 
1.11 	the Thursday and Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. Days devoted to teachers' 
1.12 	workshops may be held before Labor Day. Districts that enter into cooperative agreements 
1.13 	are encouraged to adopt similar school calendars.
1.14 	(b) A district may begin the school year on any day before Labor Day:
1.15 	(1) to accommodate a construction or remodeling project of $400,000 or more 
1.16 	affecting a district school facility;
1.17 	(2) if the district has an agreement under section 123A.30, 123A.32, or 123A.35 
1.18 	with a district that qualifies under clause (1); or
1.19 	(3) if the district agrees to the same schedule with a school district in an adjoining 
1.20 	state.

1.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for the 2013-2014 school year and 
1.22 	later.