At its meeting of April 9, 2001, the State Board of Education adopted emergency rules and regulations allowing the Board the option of review and approval of requests for waivers. The Board has the option of waiving the 178 student/teacher interaction days or 185-minimum contract days when districts are unable to conduct school due to inclement weather, fire, natural disaster or other catastrophic event.
School districts wishing to make requests for waivers must submit a written request to the State Board of Education on or before May 9, 2001. School districts submitting such a request should adequately describe the “natural necessity” as defined in Section 4.01 (b) and Section 4.02 (a) leading to the request. The procedure outlined in the attached emergency rules and regulations must be followed. The number of days requested must be clearly defined.
Waiver requests received on or before May 9 will be considered by the State Board of Education at its meeting on May 14, 2001. Requests for waivers should be mailed to Dr. Charity Smith, Arkansas Department of Education, #4 State Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201.
Questions concerning the waiver process may be directed to Dr. Charles Watson.