COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio schools will receive four
extra calamity days this year under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. John
Kasich under the watchful eye of a group of fifth-grade students.
Kasich
invited the students to the Statehouse for the signing after he
received letters in support of the measure from some of the students at
Stingel Elementary School in north-central Ohio. The Ontario school has
used 10 calamity days this year.
Snow, ice and harsh temperatures
caused many districts across Ohio to exhaust the school year’s five
allowable calamity days — most commonly called "snow days," in which
schools can close without making up the lost instructional time.
Many
schools canceled classes for nine or more days this year. Some Guernsey
County schools in the eastern part of the state have topped 17 such
days.
The new law lets districts use the additional calamity days
only after holding class on four other scheduled days off, such as
holidays or school breaks.
Schools have been waiting for the relief. The law takes effect immediately.
Under
the measure, districts can continue to make up missed days through
30-minute increments tacked onto regularly scheduled school days. They
also have the option of using work-at-home "blizzard bags" and online
lessons.
Schools can excuse graduating seniors for any makeup days that occur after commencement ceremonies.
As
a result of the law, Stingel Elementary School will only have one day
to make up at the end of the year, the governor’s office said.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.