SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; SERVICE CREDIT FOR 4-DAY SCHOOL WEEK
House Bill 5986 as introduced
First Analysis (5-8-02)
Sponsor: Rep. Stephen F. Adamini
Committee: Senior Health, Security and Retirement
Under the State School Aid Act, in order to avoid forfeiting a portion of its school aid allotment, a school district must provide a minimum number of days and hours of instruction. For the 2002-2003 school year, a minimum of 180 days and 1,104 hours is required. However, the act allows the state superintendent of public instruction to grant a waiver of the 180-day requirement for a district that adopts an experimental school year schedule in one or more buildings in the district, provided that the experimental schedule provides the minimum number of hours of instruction and is consistent with all state board policies on school improvement and restructuring. The Republic-Michigamme School District sought and received a waiver under this provision in order to implement a four-day school week for the 2002-2003 school year. This alternative scheduling program is anticipated to produce a savings of 20 percent of the district's operating costs in the areas of transportation, food service, and utilities.
To implement the pilot program, in addition to a waiver under the State School Aid Act, the district needs a complementary amendment to the Public School Employees Retirement Act, so that its employees can receive a full year of service credit under the alternate scheduling arrangement.
THE CONTENT OF THE BILL:
Under the Public School Employees Retirement Act, a member is granted one year of service credit [as a full-time employee] if he or she worked for at least 6 hours per day and for at least 170 days in a school year (1020 hours). Partial service credit is granted for employment of less than that amount.
House Bill 5986 would amend this provision to add language specifying that if the member works for a reporting unit (a school district, intermediate school district, public school academy, community college, university, or other agency) that operates for less than 170 days in a school fiscal year, one year of retirement service credit would be granted if the member has worked at least 7.5 hours per day and at least 136 days in a school fiscal year (1020 hours).
MCL 38.1368
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
According to the House Fiscal Agency, the bill has no fiscal implications. (5-2-02)
ARGUMENTS:
For:
The Republic-Michigamme School District in the Upper Peninsula, a small district with declining enrollment, is considering an alternative school week schedule for next school year, consisting of a four-day school week with lengthened days. Reportedly, the school board adopted a resolution in support of the pilot project in March. The state superintendent of public instruction granted a waiver of the 180-day requirement, contingent upon evidence of staff and community support and the incorporation of a process to evaluate the educational impact of the calendar change.
In addition to a waiver under the State School Aid Act, it is necessary to amend the Public School Employees Retirement Act to allow school employees to earn a full year of service credit for a year of employment under the alternative school week schedule. The bill would make this adjustment, specifying that service credit would be granted for employment for at least 136 days, rather than 170 as currently required, but the minimum number of hours would remain at 1020.
POSITIONS:
The Republic-Michigamme School District supports the bill (5-7-02)
The Michigan Education Association is neutral on the bill (5-7-02)
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.