3516.5
BP
Board Policy
Emergency Schedules
In order to provide for the safety of students and staff, the Governing Board authorizes the Superintendent or designee to close a school site, change the regular school day schedule, or take any necessary action when hazardous environmental, health, or weather conditions, or other emergencies, warrant.
When an emergency condition causes a school closure, reduction in attendance, or change in schedule pursuant to Education Code 41422 or 46392, thereby preventing the district from complying with the minimum number of instructional days or minutes required by law, the Superintendent or designee shall complete and submit to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) the necessary forms and/or affidavits for obtaining approval of apportionment credit for the days of the closure, reduction in attendance, or change in schedule. The Superintendent or designee shall submit other relevant district records as may be required.
For school closures or material decreases in attendance due to emergency events that occur between September 2, 2021 and June 30, 2026, the Superintendent or designee shall certify in the affidavit submitted to the SPI that the district has a plan for offering independent study within 10 instructional days of the school closure to any student impacted by the emergency condition. The plan shall address the establishment, within a reasonable time, of independent study master agreements as specified in Board Policy 6158 - Independent Study, and require reopening in person as soon as possible once allowable under the direction from the city or county health officer. (Education Code 46393)
For school closures or material decreases in attendance due to emergency events occurring on or after July 1, 2026, the Superintendent or designee shall certify in the affidavit submitted to the SPI that the district's comprehensive safety plan includes an instructional continuity plan, and that the district offered student engagement and instruction consistent with the instructional continuity plan, or that it did not do so due to extenuating circumstances. (Education Code 46393)
The Superintendent or designee shall establish a system for informing students and parents/guardians with timely notice in advance of any changes to the school day, a school closure, or if school buses are not operating as scheduled. The district's notification system shall include, but is not limited to, notifying local television, streaming services, and/or radio stations; posting on district website(s) and/or social media account(s); sending email and text messages; and/or making telephone calls.
When the district makes any notification to students and/or parents/guardians utilizing an automatic dialing-announcing device, the device shall be operated by a person who shall follow all procedures required by law prior to operating the device, and disconnect the device from the telephone line upon the termination of the call. (Public Utilities Code 2874)
Whenever the school day schedule changes after students have arrived at school, the Superintendent or designee shall ensure that students are supervised in accordance with the procedures specified in Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 3516 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan.
The Superintendent or designee may provide a means to make up lost instructional time later during the year.
Legal & Management References
State
Ed. Code 41420 - Apportionment withholding; schools not maintained for 175 days
Ed. Code 41422 - Schools not maintained for 175 days
Ed. Code 46010 - Total days of attendance
Ed. Code 46100-46208 - Attendance; maximum credit; minimum day
Ed. Code 46210-46211 - Attendance recovery programs
Ed. Code 46390 - Calculation of ADA in emergency
Ed. Code 46391 - Lost or destroyed ADA records
Ed. Code 46392 - Emergencies
Ed. Code 46393 - Certification of plan for independent study; instructional continuity plan
Public Utilities Code 2874 - Automatic dialing-announcing devices
Veh. Code 34501.6 - School buses; reduced visibility
Management Resources
CA DOE Correspondence - 90-01 Average Daily Attendance Credit During Periods of Emergency, February 10, 2005
California Department of Education Publication - Frequently Asked Questions - Form J-13A
Website - CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services
Website - California Department of Education
Cross References
0450 AR Comprehensive Safety Plan
1112 BP Media Relations
1113 AR District And School Websites
3511 AR Energy And Water Management
3514 AR Environmental Safety
3516.2 AR Bomb Threats
3542 AR School Bus Drivers
3580 AR District Records
4157 AR Employee Safety
4257 AR Employee Safety
4357 AR Employee Safety
5113.1 AR Chronic Absence And Truancy
5142 AR Safety
6111 BP School Calendar
6158 AR Independent Study