LANSING, MI (WTVB) – To date, 175 school districts in the state have asked the Michigan Department of Education for a waiver for three snow days above the allowed six in an academic year.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, who’s Senate district covers Branch, Hillsdale, and Jackson counties, says legislation to forgive up to five additional days is a non-starter.
Shirkey opposes legislative efforts to give school districts additional snow days this year due to the extreme weather conditions experienced the past month and a half. In Lansing Thursday, Shirkey said while he feels sorry for what schools have gone through this winter, in some areas schools are underperforming, so he does not want to see school days taken away from students.
MIRS News reports the Michigan Department of Education has approved 77 waivers so far, with no rejections. After using the six allowable days in the year, schools have to either add days to the end of the year, shorten spring break, or even add hours to the end of school days to make up the time missed.
Some districts have been forced to cancel school at least 13 times this winter, with Ionia in west Michigan calling off class 18 times already.
Coldwater Community Schools have lost nine days due to weather. Superintendent Terry Boguth says the district does plan to apply for a three day waiver.
(reporting from MetroSource News)
