Bill
SB 3284
Districts may use an election-day e-learning program district-wide on polling days, not counting as emergency days, with public input, verification, and required supports for stude
Title: SCH CD-E-LEARNING DAY-ELECTION
Purpose
- To authorize school districts to use an adopted and verified electronic-learning (e-learning) program district-wide on days when a school is closed due to being selected as a polling place for elections, rather than requiring a separate research-based e-learning program specifically for election-day use.
- Clarifies that e-learning days used on election days cannot be counted as emergency days, i.e., they do not substitute the district’s scheduled emergency days.
Key Provisions
1) Programs for e-learning days (Section 10-20.56)
- The State Board of Education must maintain a program for e-learning days, usable by districts for remote or blended learning on designated days.
- Districts may adopt:
- A research-based program(s) for e-learning days district-wide (to count in lieu of emergency days or election-day polling closures), or
- An adopted and verified program specifically permitting instruction on days when a school is a polling place on election day.
- If electing the election-day e-learning option, these days may not count as emergency days.
2) Election-day e-learning option (new subsection b-5)
- Districts may use an adopted and verified e-learning program district-wide that allows instruction on days when a school is a polling place (Election Code Section 11-4.1).
- These election-day e-learning days are explicitly not counted as the district’s emergency days.
3) Public process and verification (Sections c and d)
- Before adoption, districts must hold a public hearing with at least 10 days’ notice (newspaper publication, and notice to parents/guardians and employees’ representatives).
- The regional office of education or intermediate service center must verify that the e-learning proposal meets specific requirements and includes provisions for:
- Minimum 5 clock hours of instruction per participating student per e-learning day (per 10-19.05).
- Access to home/remote facilities including computers and Internet; non-electronic materials for those lacking technology.
- Adequate learning opportunities for students with special needs.
- Monitoring/verification of student participation.
- Consideration of student-controlled pace and timing.
- Effective notice to students/parents about e-learning days.
- Training for staff and students.
- Opportunities for required collective bargaining with affected employees.
- Review and revision plan for the program as implemented.
- Communication of program expectations to teachers, staff, and students at least 30 days before using an e-learning day.
- Initial approval and renewal are valid for 3 school years.
4) Financial and labor considerations (Sections d-5, d-10, d-15, d-20)
- Contracts/Service Providers (d-5): District must pay certain educational support service contractors (custodians, transportation, food service, etc.) their daily regular rate/charges for e-learning days used due to polling-place status, with exceptions for contracts dated after March 15, 2022 or those addressing such compensation elsewhere.
- District staff (d-10): District must pay employees providing support services their daily pay and benefits for school closures or e-learning days when duties are precluded by the closure, with a rescheduled day payment exception.
- Contractors (d-15): Districts must pay contractors per their bid package rates and benefits for closures/e-learning days, with a rescheduled day exception.
- Prior-year closure (d-20): For 2021-2022 closures occurring before the act’s effective date, districts must reimburse or pay employees/contractors if they were not paid or had to use paid time off, with a rescheduling exception.
5) Administration and definitions (Section e; definition in d-10/d-15/d-20)
- The State Board may adopt rules consistent with the section.
- “Employee” and “School district” definitions include certain charter schools and exclude specific juvenile justice contexts.
Effective period
- The framework requires a 3-year term for initial approval or renewal, beginning with the first school year in which the program is approved and verified.
Who is affected
- School districts implementing e-learning days.
- Students and families of districts choosing the e-learning option (including those with special needs and English learners, who must be served effectively).
- District employees and contractors providing educational support services (custodial, transportation, food service, classroom aides, administrative staff, etc.), who are guaranteed pay/benefits for e-learning days or closures tied to polling-place operations, subject to existing contracts and state law.
Timeline and process
- Public hearing required prior to adoption (notice 10 days ahead, through newspaper and electronic/word notices).
- Verification by regional ROE/ISCs before implementation.
- 3-year validity of initial approval/renewal, starting with the first year of approval.
Notes
- SB3284 retains the option for districts to use a research-based e-learning program district-wide but creates and explicit path for a separate election-day e-learning option (not counted as emergency days).
- Provisions emphasize access, equity, and compliance with mandated services and collective bargaining where applicable.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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