(a) The state board of education may waive the requirements of law relating to the duration of the school term in any school year upon application for such waiver by a school district. The waiver may be granted by the state board of education upon:

(1) Certification by a board of education that, due to a disaster, conditions resulting from widespread or severe property damage caused by the disaster will exist in the school district for an inordinate period of time; and

(2) a determination by the state board that the school district cannot reasonably adjust its schedule to comply with such requirements of law. The period of time school is not maintained during any school year due to conditions resulting from a disaster, upon granting of the waiver by the state board of education, shall be considered a part of the school term.

(b) As used in this section, the term “disaster” means the occurrence of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or manmade cause, including, but not limited to, fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, wind, storm, an epidemic, air contamination, blight, drought, infestation or explosion.