Section 24 of chapter 54 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the first paragraph the following paragraph:-             

The aldermen in cities, except where city or town charters provide otherwise, and the selectmen of towns divided into voting precincts, shall not designate any school building or school premises as a polling place for any voting precinct, unless they have made every reasonable effort to find or provide for a suitable alternative venue. Any school building or school premises that is designated as a polling place shall be open for polling and voting purposes only and no session of school shall be held in said building or premises on the day of any special or general election. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, school staff development days may be held on the day of any special or general election at the discretion of the local school superintendent and/or school committee.