The Michigan House on Wednesday approved legislation that would forgive up to four additional snow days for schools that closed due to a mid-March winter storm. The storm buried much of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in record-breaking snowfall, and was soon followed by significant rain and rapid snowmelt. This placed significant strain on local communities and school districts. Many roads were impassable, and schools were forced to shut down for several days.
“I appreciate the support that this bill received from my House colleagues.,” said State Representative Parker Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “While I believe that, as a rule, schools should make-up any missed days beyond the statutorily provided six, I think that there needs to be some grace extended under such exigent circumstances, and locally elected school boards should be given flexibility to make decisions that best serve their students, families and communities. We’re weeks away from the end of the school year, making it all the more important the Senate passes this bill and send it to the Governor for signature.”
“I began pushing my colleagues hard on getting relief for U.P. communities while snow was still falling during the blizzard,” said State Representative Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. “It’s no secret that we get a lot of snow in the U.P., but there are storms you just can’t plan for. School districts are much larger than they were 50 years ago, as school districts have consolidated, forcing kids to spend longer on the bus. Schools shouldn’t be penalized when they make the right choice for student safety.”
State law allows schools to miss and not have to make-up up to six days per year, which is typically sufficient for them to provide students with the instructional time needed to complete the curriculum and maintain their schedules.
This year, however, without additional days, districts may have to extend their schedules further into the summer, impacting maintenance, building and other contracted work schedules, as well as the plans of the student’s families.
The plan, House Bill 5797, now moves to the state Senate for further consideration.
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