COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Schools would receive up to four
additional days off this year because of the winter season’s extreme
weather with teachers having to report on two of those, under a bill
approved by the Ohio House on Wednesday.
Snow and frigid
temperatures has led many districts across Ohio to exhaust their five
allowable calamity days. Some have cancelled classes for 10 or more
days.
One in three Ohio school districts have already used up
their five calamity days, said bill sponsor Rep. Tony Burkley, a
Republican from Payne in northwest Ohio. Co-sponsor Rep. Brian Hill, a
Republican from Zanesville, some said schools in his eastern Ohio
district have missed as many as 17 days to date.
"Concern about calamity days should never outweigh the safety of our children," Hill said.
The House approved the bill 80-16. It goes next to the Senate.
Gov. John Kasich has been among those advocating adding extra snow days on a one-time basis this year.

Opponents said schools aren’t doing enough to make up the lost days on the weekends or through longer
school days.
Rep. Michael Henne said giving children more days off will cause them to fall behind academically.
"It’s
time for us to get our priorities in order," said Henne, a Republican
from Clayton in southwest Ohio. "We still have plenty of days where they
can make up these days."
Schools can also make up three days by
using "blizzard bags," lesson plans and materials prepared ahead of time
for work at home in case of bad weather.
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