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Bill Summary · HB 635

Summary of HB 635 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

HB 635 proposes broad updates to Kentucky’s education system focused on school calendars, instructional time, professional development, and emergency relief. The bill simultaneously declares an emergency to support rapid implementation, with certain provisions taking effect immediately upon passage and others on July 1, 2026. The overarching goal appears to enhance flexibility in scheduling, ensure adequate instructional hours, and provide mechanisms for addressing emergencies and nontraditional instructional delivery.

Key provisions and changes

  • School calendar and term definitions (KRS 158.070, amended):

    • Establishes standardized definitions for calendar terms, including minimum school term (185 days) and minimum instructional hours (1,062 hours for students).
    • Creates a formal process for a local school district calendar committee to review and recommend calendar options. Committee composition includes principals, district administrators, board members, teachers, parents, classified staff, and community members.
    • Requires local boards to consider feedback and economic impact before adopting a calendar, and to hold hearings on the calendar recommendations.
    • Allows districts adopting a first student day no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26 to use a variable student instructional year, with hours capped at seven per day unless an alternative approved by the commissioner.
    • Allows holidays to be placed in the calendar with certain flexibility (e.g., observance on a preceding Friday if a holiday falls on a Saturday).
    • Provides for waivers and regulations to support innovative or nontraditional calendars.

  • Professional development and planning (KRS 158.070):

    • Requires districts to allocate four days of the minimum term for professional development and planning without students present; up to one day may be used for district-wide or mandated training.
    • Allows flexible professional development (FPD) in which teachers can earn credit toward the four days via activities outside the standard hours, subject to supervisor approval and alignment with classroom duties or improvement plans.
    • Encourages districts to support school councils in planning, with technology and leadership considerations.

  • Additional leave and emergency provisions:

    • Allows up to four days for holidays and two planning days without students, plus provisions for closures during emergencies, mourning, or approved local discretion after consultation with the Kentucky Board of Education.
    • In-state and national emergencies may justify school closures, with guidelines on waivers and time adjustments.

  • Athletics and attendance adjustments (KRS 158.070):

    • Encourages scheduling athletics outside regular attendance days.
    • Allows athletes competing in regional/state tournaments on attendance days to be counted as present for up to two days per year, with assignments completed as required.

  • Continuing education and nontraditional instruction (NTI) options:

    • Requires schools to provide continuing education time for students needing extra time to meet outcomes (KRS 158.6451). Time may be extended beyond the minimum term.
    • Establishes a framework for NTI, including grant funding criteria, approval processes, reporting requirements, and evaluation standards to ensure learning continuity on nontraditional days. The Board would promulgate regulations governing NTI programs (hours, plans, oversight).

  • Transportation and breakfast (bus scheduling and breakfast):

    • Requires buses to arrive early enough for breakfast; districts on the federal School Breakfast Program may add up to 15 minutes to the instructional day to accommodate breakfast.

  • Special administrative provisions (2025-2026 pilot and waivers):

    • A temporary provision allows districts for the 2025-2026 year to revise their calendars to meet the 1,062-hour requirement, with waivers for up to five days if needed, and plan submissions to the KDE (Section 2).

Who is affected

  • Local boards of education and district superintendents.
  • School staff and administrators (teachers, principals, classified staff).
  • Students and families (via calendar changes, instructional hours, NTI options, and school closures).
  • The Kentucky Department of Education (through regulatory guidance and NTI oversight).
  • Community stakeholders through the district calendar committee process.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Section 1 details changes to definitions and calendar processes, effective July 1, 2026.
  • Section 2 provides a temporary, year-specific framework for the 2025-2026 school year to align with the new hours requirement and NTI provisions.
  • Section 3 declares an emergency, expediting implementation.

Overall, HB 635 emphasizes calendar flexibility, mandated instructional hours, enhanced professional development planning, emergency responsiveness, and structured NTI frameworks to maintain instructional continuity.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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