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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to the starting date for public schools;

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amending s. 1001.42, F.S.; beginning in the 2008-2009

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school year, prohibiting public schools from starting

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instruction before August 15; providing an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (4) of section

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1001.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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     1001.42  Powers and duties of district school board.--The

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district school board, acting as a board, shall exercise all

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powers and perform all duties listed below:

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     (4)  ESTABLISHMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND OPERATION OF

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SCHOOLS.--Adopt and provide for the execution of plans for the

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establishment, organization, and operation of the schools of the

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district, including, but not limited to, the following:

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     (f)  Opening and closing of schools; fixing uniform

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date.--Adopt policies for the opening and closing of schools and

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fix uniform dates; however, beginning with the 2008-2009 2007-

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2008 school year, the opening date for schools in the district

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may not be earlier than August 15 14 days before Labor Day each

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year.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.