Ventura : Parents Urged to Use New Time-Off Law

Ventura schools chief Joseph Spirito wants the city’s parents to know that a new state law allows them to ask for time off from work to participate in their children’s school activities.

Spirito last week sent an open letter to the Ventura community saying the Family-School Partnership Act makes it illegal for companies with 25 or more employees to bar workers from taking time off for school events.

He is distributing the letter, Spirito said, because studies show that the most accurate predictor of academic success is how involved parents are in their child’s education.

“I ask employers and employees who have children in our schools to take advantage of this opportunity to join our teachers and schools to form that bond,” Spirito wrote.

The bill was written by state Supt. of Instruction Delaine Eastin when she was a state assemblywoman. It took effect Jan. 1.

Parents or guardians can take up to 40 hours off each school year as long as they use vacation, personal leave, compensatory time or time off without pay. Parents must also provide employers with reasonable notice, the law states.