With the snow, ice and extreme low temperatures causing school closings, students may be jumping with joy, while school corporation superintendents are springing into action.
The decision to delay or cancel school has to be made either the night before or in the early hours of the school day by using internet weather predictions, local media weather warnings, reports from law enforcement, communication with state and county highway departments, and, in many cases, driving the roads themselves along with other staff members.
However, the decisions don’t stop there. In order to have students in instructional days for 180 days as required by the state, superintendents have to build “makeup days” into the school-year calendar. Instructional time is defined as “time in which students are participating in an approved course, curriculum, or educationally related activity under the direction of a teacher”. Instructional time does not include lunch or recess.
The Plymouth School’s calendar has five days built in to cover any days of missed instruction. The first is January 19, (Martin Luther King Day) and the second, February 16 (President’s Day). Additionally June 3, 4, and 5 are listed as possible days that could be used.
Union-North United School Corporation, that includes LaVille Elementary and LaVille Jr.-Sr. High, had three days in the school calendar that could be used including January 19, February 13, and April 6. At this point, they have been closed on three days. Superintendent Mitch Mawhorter said they have a plan in the case of more missed days. He said, “The last student day is now scheduled for May 27; so we can use May 28 and 29.” Beyond that point, they could use the first week of June if necessary since their graduation is not scheduled until June 6.
Mawhorter went on to say that the state could allow E-learning Days, but the Union-North Corporation may not be ready to implement even though they now have one-to-one computer use in all grades from K-12. This is the first year for the all-school one-to-one technology. “We may look at it in the next couple of years. “ Mawhorter said.
Argos Schools Superintendent Michele Riise has only been on the job since January 1 and has already had to make the decision to use three days set aside for makeup days on the school’s calendar. Riise said, “There are four days built-in.” She went on to say that they can use President’s Day, April 3, May 1 and May 29. The last day was set aside as a Teacher Records Day. She said the option to have an E-learning day is still on the IDOE (Indiana Department Education) website as “still live”. Riise indicated that the Argos Schools have never used an E-learning day and she plans to discuss if or how it could be implemented when she meets with administrators of the elementary and high school. The contract with teachers ends on the last day of May, so they would have to extend the school day, use an E-learning option, or hold school on Saturdays if the last built-in day has to be used and there are more closings.
Donna Burroughs, superintendent of Triton Schools, said they will have to wait and see what the state will allow if there are more school day closings beyond the three listed in the school’s calendar. She said in other years the state has allowed extending the school day, holding Saturday school, or implementing an E-learning Day. Burroughs said, “We have a large population of families who do not have internet access, so an E-learning day would not work for us.” Burroughs said she does feel that any makeup work should be timely with the units of study in the classroom.
Culver Schools Superintendent Vicki McGuire had already announced that they would be using January 19, February 16 and May 8 as makeup days.
Bremen Superintendent, Dr. Jim White, said he inherited the school calendar that has three makeup days included. This is White’s first year with the Bremen School Corporation. He said, “We have used two of the three days. They already identified January 19, February 16 and March 27 as makeup days if needed. “After that, we will tack days on to the end of the year.” he said. Bremen’s graduation is scheduled for June 7.
John Glenn Schools had five identified days that could be used as makeup days. Superintendent Dick Reece said they have used three. Those listed on the calendar include January 19, February 13, February 16, April 3 and April 6. If all are used, Reece said they would have to add days to the end of the year or use another option. He said last school year they were able to extend 12 school days to reach the required 180 days.
Carol Anders Correspondent
