The state needs to adapt to changing weather patterns and forgive school districts of their snow days.
That’s according to Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich.
He said many Michigan school districts have had to take an excessive number of snow days this year in order to protect students and teachers. Ananich said he doesn’t think they shouldn’t be penalized for that.
“We’re just getting crushed in January and February and I just don’t think a superintendent should have to weigh, do I have to go to school today because I don’t want to make the day up or get penalized for it.”
Schools can see a loss of funding if they don’t meet the state requirements of 1,098 hours of instruction time over 180 days.
Ananich said this year’s snow days should be forgiven and in the future districts should be forgiven any snow days during the time a state of emergency has been declared.
“This is kind of a freak incident and we should take care of this year and then we can have a conversation about the future. Maybe the amount of days we give just isn’t enough.”
Ananich said weather patterns in the state are changing and schools and lawmakers need to adapt to those changes.
He said he hasn’t spoken to his colleagues yet but he expects to be drafting legislation soon to forgive school districts of their snow days.