Districts’ snow day policies vary with state law change

Many require certain hours of instruction rather than set days. New rule gives schools more flexibility.

All 37 public school districts in Montgomery, Greene, Miami and northern Warren counties were closed Tuesday, and for most, it was the second time this winter that they’ve canceled classes because of snow.

But because of a change in state law, makeup day procedures will vary from district to district if the region has another severe winter.

The old rules required schools to hold makeup days if they missed more than five days of classes due to snow or other “calamity.” The new law requires a certain number of hours of instruction, rather than a number of days, according to the Ohio Department of Education.

Many schools easily surpass the state’s minimum — by about 20 school days’ worth in Greenon and 22 in Lebanon, school officials said. Local superintendents say that gives them more flexibility in responding to snow days.

Miamisburg, Greenon and other schools have said if necessary, they’d consider creative ways to make up time outside of formal makeup days. Centerville, Springfield and Lebanon are among many districts that said they’ll still have makeup days if they miss more than five this year. Many districts are grandfathered into the old five-calamity-day system until their teacher contracts expire — which is 2018 in the case of Centerville and Kettering.

While makeup days may not be legally required, several educators said makeups are still likely if schools miss numerous days, in part because students need to be ready for new, tougher state tests that affect students’ advancement, educators’ evaluations and public attitudes toward schools.