HONOLULU » The House Education Committee has approved a bill that would exempt Hawaii’s four most crowded schools from a new state law extending the academic year to 180 days in all public schools.

The 12-member committee on Monday unanimously passed HB945, which would allow schools in Mililani, Kapolei and Ewa to have a 171-day calendar next year.

Students at those institutions are divided into three or four groups that alternate attendance every week in order to free up classroom space. Some education officials say this multi-track calendar makes a 180-day school year impossible.

KITV reports that the education committee added a provision to HB945 requiring multi-track schools to make up for the lost instruction time by slightly extending the remaining school days.

The bill now goes to the House Finance Committee.