Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the governing board of a school district does not designate September 9 known as “Admission Day” as a paid holiday for classified employees pursuant to Section 37222, the school district shall provide a substitute holiday for such employee. Such substitute holiday shall be provided as specified in Section 45205.

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.