15-703. Kindergarten programs and special departments; special teachers

A. The governing board may:

1. Establish departments of industrial arts and consumer education and homemaking.

2. Employ special teachers in special subjects.

B. Each common school district or unified school district shall establish a kindergarten program, unless the governing board of such common school district or unified school district files an exemption claim with the department of education. A district is exempt from establishing a kindergarten program if it files with the department of education an exemption claim which states that the establishment of a kindergarten program will interfere with the work of, or maintenance of efficiency in, the grades and that a kindergarten program is not in the best interests of the district. Each school district that establishes a kindergarten program shall offer half-day kindergarten programs that provide academically meaningful instruction in each of the academic standards adopted by the state board of education. A school district that establishes a full-day kindergarten program shall allow each parent of a kindergarten pupil to choose either half-day kindergarten instruction or full-day kindergarten instruction and shall provide the option of academically meaningful half-day kindergarten instruction in every school in the school district that has enough students to fill a half-day kindergarten class at a class size that is approximately equal to the average kindergarten class size for the school district as a whole.

C. For the purpose of maintaining a kindergarten program a common school district or unified school district governing board may lease such buildings as may be necessary as provided by law.