Prior to July of any school year, the governing board of any school district may designate other days during such year as the holidays to which classified employees are entitled in lieu of the holidays on February known as “Lincoln Day,” the third Monday in February known as “Washington Day,” the last Monday in May known as “Memorial Day,” or November known as “Veterans Day” as specified in

Section 45203, provided that such designated days will provide for at least a three-day weekend. Classified employees shall be required to work on the regular holiday for which another day is designated pursuant to this section, and for work of eight hours or less, shall be paid compensation at their regular rate of pay.

If any classified employee would be entitled to the regular paid holiday but would not be in a paid status during any portion of the working day immediately preceding or succeeding the day so designated in lieu of such holiday and therefore would not be entitled to such day in lieu of the holiday, he shall be entitled to the regular holiday; however, if he is required to work on such holiday, he shall be paid compensation at the rate of time and one-half of his regular rate of pay in addition to the regular pay received for the holiday. This

section shall not be construed to authorize the maintenance of schools on holidays other than as provided in

Article 3 (commencing with

Section 37220) of

Chapter of Part of this division. This

section shall apply to districts that have adopted the merit system in the same manner and effect as if it were a part of

Article 6 (commencing with

Section 45240) of this chapter.