News
Schools shut down again as second storm wallops Ohio
 |
| SNP photo by Jeffry
Konczal Johneen Griffin, 60, of Worthington builds a snowman Saturday, Feb. 6, in her front yard off West South Street. "I haven't done this in a long time," she said. Worthington schools were closed Tuesday, Feb. 9, after the second snowstorm in five days slammed Central Ohio. |
* Ohio schools have five calamity days this year for the last time; only three will be available next year.
By PAMELA WILLIS
Another snowstorm blew Worthington City School District
doors shut Tuesday, Feb. 9, using up a second calamity day
as classes and evening activities were canceled.
Calamity days may not be as much of an issue this year, when all districts have at least five to use for snow days, but next year could be another story, said Superintendent Melissa Conrath.
"The state legislation has already been passed and we will have to make do with three calamity days next school year," she said.
Considering the school district already has used two this year and winter is far from over, is the district worried about having only three calamity days next year?
Conrath said the district already has devised a plan in case three calamity days are not enough.
"We obviously want kids in school and don't want to go over the calamity days, so we've identified some dates in the school calendar for makeup days," she said. "We have a records day for teachers that could be used as a makeup day and always try to set aside one or two days, so that we try not to impinge on spring break days."
Conrath said students also could be asked to make up a day at the end of the school year.
The last day of school this year for students is June 9.
"We have students finishing on that Wednesday, but we can go one more day and finish on Thursday, June 10," she said.
The school district went over its five allotted calamity days last school year, when winds from Hurricane Ike swept through Ohio on Sept. 15, 2008. Several of Worthington's school buildings were without power for two to five days and had to make up time later.
"The reality is we will do the best we can in determining makeup days, because each year is different in terms of weather and our need for calamity days," Conrath said.
Calamity days may not be as much of an issue this year, when all districts have at least five to use for snow days, but next year could be another story, said Superintendent Melissa Conrath.
"The state legislation has already been passed and we will have to make do with three calamity days next school year," she said.
Considering the school district already has used two this year and winter is far from over, is the district worried about having only three calamity days next year?
Conrath said the district already has devised a plan in case three calamity days are not enough.
"We obviously want kids in school and don't want to go over the calamity days, so we've identified some dates in the school calendar for makeup days," she said. "We have a records day for teachers that could be used as a makeup day and always try to set aside one or two days, so that we try not to impinge on spring break days."
Conrath said students also could be asked to make up a day at the end of the school year.
The last day of school this year for students is June 9.
"We have students finishing on that Wednesday, but we can go one more day and finish on Thursday, June 10," she said.
The school district went over its five allotted calamity days last school year, when winds from Hurricane Ike swept through Ohio on Sept. 15, 2008. Several of Worthington's school buildings were without power for two to five days and had to make up time later.
"The reality is we will do the best we can in determining makeup days, because each year is different in terms of weather and our need for calamity days," Conrath said.