State Education Board Gives Schools Option To Make Up Snow Days
With the snow and ice storm behind the state, how will school systems make up for more than a week’s worth of snow days?As heard on the radio
The Georgia Board of Education Thursday gave school systems some flexibility in addressing that issue by unanimously approving a resolution to increase the number of emergency days a district can take without special board approval.
Districts now have the option to not make up as many as nine school days that may have been canceled due to the recent ice and snow storms that effectively shuttered the state.
“I think you’re going to find the majority of the districts at least make up some of them,” said Department of Education spokesman Matt Cardoza. “Keep in mind, this resolution wasn’t all or nothing. They can still choose to not make up some, but still make up others.”
Schools are required under state law to be in session 180 days each fiscal year, but have always been able to cancel up to four of those class days without state approval. Many school districts exceeded that limit this year thanks to the recent bout of rare winter weather.
Cardoza said districts need the flexibility to go beyond those four days this year because making up every canceled school day could put some districts in a financial bind.
“When you’re dealing with this time of year in particular, it’s not as if you have the entire school year left,” Cardoza said. “We’ve got to give them flexibility, and school districts can make that decision much better than we can at the state level.”
The state board’s decision comes at a good time for Fulton County Schools. Fulton’s school board is scheduled to meet Thursday night, and will discuss what to do about the seven snow days it took.
In Dekalb County, Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond said in a statement he appreciates the board’s “prompt decision.” He said he’ll meet with district senior staff Friday to discuss options for make-up days.
City of Decatur Schools, as well as Newton and Rockdale County Schools have already scheduled make up days.
Last week, Rockdale Public Schools canceled its winter break scheduled for this week to make up six of its eight snow days.
“This isn’t about punishing students, you know, for not being at school or anything like that,” said Cindy Ball, who’s with Rockdale Public School District. “This is to be able to provide our students with the maximum amount of time possible for instruction.”
Ball said there hasn’t been a major dip in attendance despite the last-minute calendar change.
Atlanta Public Schools officials were not available to discuss their plans to address snow days.
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