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Read. Follow. Verify.Senate File 205 adjusts the earliest allowable school start date to the Monday before the last Monday in August
Last action · January 21, 2026: Subcommittee recommends passage.
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate File 205 changes the earliest possible start date for school districts and s from August 23 to the Monday immediately preceding the last Monday in August. The bill maintains requirements for a school year of at least 180 days or 1,080 hours of instruction, while allowing districts to excuse graduating seniors from extended calendars caused by weather closures.
Modifies the planning window for school boards and nonpublic school authorities when setting annual academic calendars and instructional schedules.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
school districts
School districts must determine their school start date according to the new calendar threshold and hold a public hearing on the proposed calendar.
accredited nonpublic schools
Authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools must set their school start dates in accordance with the updated statutory start window.
graduating seniors
Graduating seniors who have met graduation requirements may be excused from attendance during extended school calendars caused by inclement weather closures.
Key Facts
- The earliest allowable school calendar start date is changed from August 23 to the Monday immediately preceding the last Monday in August.
- School years must include not less than 180 days or 1,080 hours of instruction during the calendar year.
- Not more than 5 days or 30 hours of instruction may be delivered primarily over the internet, with certain statutory exceptions.
- School boards must hold a public hearing on any proposed school calendar prior to adopting it.
Show all 6 facts
- School districts and nonpublic schools may excuse graduating seniors from attendance during extended school calendars caused by inclement weather closures.
- School corporations are permitted to begin employment of personnel for in-service training and development before the elementary and secondary school start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new earliest start date for schools under Senate File 205?
Are schools still required to provide 180 days of instruction?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
12 actions- Jan 21, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Jan 15, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 01/21/2026 12:00PM Room 315.
- Jan 15, 2026SenateSubcommittee: Shipley, Evans, Trone Garriott. S.J. 106 .
- Jan 15, 2026Iowa Legislature* * * * * END OF 2025 ACTIONS * * * * *
- Jun 16, 2025SenateCommitteeReferred to Education. S.J. 1057 .
- Feb 4, 2025Iowa LegislatureCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 205 .
Show 6 earlier actions
- Feb 4, 2025SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 197 .
- Feb 4, 2025SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 189 .
- Jan 30, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Jan 27, 2025SenateSubcommittee Meeting: 01/30/2025 9:30AM Senate Lounge.
- Jan 22, 2025Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee: Shipley, Gruenhagen, and Trone Garriott.
- Jan 22, 2025Iowa LegislatureIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Education.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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