H.J.R. 9

1

RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING SCHOOL BREAK
2 FOR 2002 OLYMPICS
3 1998 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Gary F. Cox
6 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE ENCOURAGING UTAH SCHOOL
7 DISTRICTS TO ARRANGE A SPECIAL RECESS FOR STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC
8 SCHOOLS TO ALLOW THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HISTORIC 2002 OLYMPIC
9 WINTER GAMES.
10 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
11 WHEREAS Salt Lake City is the host city for the Olympic Winter Games scheduled for
12 February 8-24, 2002, a time period falling within the school year for Utah's public schools;
13 WHEREAS the XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City will be an historic event,
14 and will present a unique, chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity for residents of Utah and surrounding
15 areas;
16 WHEREAS the potential educational significance and impact of the Olympic Games is
17 enormous as tens of thousands of Utah's school children see the greatest athletes in the world
18 converge to compete in the Games;
19 WHEREAS ways could be found to permit Utah's school children to experience this
20 historic event firsthand;
21 WHEREAS Utah's school children should be afforded the chance to attend h ACTIVITIES
21a ASSOCIATED WITH h the XIX
22 Olympic Winter Games without missing any school days;
23 WHEREAS the special educational opportunities afforded by the Games should be made
24 available to all students regardless of economic status;
25 WHEREAS Utah's public school personnel should be afforded time to attend h ACTIVITIES
25a ASSOCIATED WITH h the Games
26 without missing any contract work days;
27 WHEREAS since some events will rely on nearby school facilities for parking, holding

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1 classes during this time would create significant traffic congestion and other logistical problems
2 interfering with the smooth, professional presentation of the events;
3 WHEREAS Utah's young workforce may be made available for special student olympic
4 volunteer opportunities during this time period, decreasing the need to import a workforce from
5 other states; and
6 WHEREAS making the Games accessible to Utah's school children will allow them to
7 participate personally in the history to be made in their home state:
8 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
9 encourage h [ Utah's school districts to structure a schedule that will allow students to attend the XIX
10 Olympic Winter Games and still complete the necessary number of school days to ensure
11 fulfillment of all education requirements ] THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY
11a IN THE NUMBER OF DAYS SCHOOL MUST BE HELD DURING A WEEK, OR THE NUMBER OF HOURS
11b SCHOOL MUST BE HELD DURING A DAY IN THE 2001-2002 SCHOOL YEAR SO THAT LOCAL BOARDS
11c OF EDUCATION CAN STRUCTURE SCHOOL SCHEDULES WHICH ALLOW STUDENTS TO
11d PARTICIPATE IN h ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH h THE OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES AND STILL
11e COMPLETE THE FULFILLMENT OF ALL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS h .
11f h BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE LEGISLATURE ENCOURAGE THE SALT LAKE
11g OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO
11h INFORM PARENTS, TEACHERS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES WELL IN ADVANCE OF SCHOOL
11i SCHEDULES IN ORDER TO PREPARE FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE AND EDUCATION OF
11j UTAH'S CHILDREN.
11k BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE LEGISLATURE ENCOURAGE THE SALT LAKE
11l OLYMPIC COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS,
11m PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO PLAN AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DESIGNED
11n TO ENCOURAGE UTAH'S SCHOOL CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE. h
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah Board of
13 Regents, the Utah Office of Education, and to each school district in the state of Utah.



Legislative Review Note
as of 1-7-98 11:23 AM

A limited legal review of this bill raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

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