February 4, 200917 yr http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/682892.html FRANKFORT — A Western Kentucky lawmaker plans to file a bill in coming days that would waive up to 10 missed school days in districts hard-hit by last week's winter ice storm. State Rep. Mike Cherry, whose district was hammered by the storm, said he plans to file the legislation as early as Wednesday. Cherry, D-Princeton, said schools in the 95 counties which have declared a state of emergency would not have to reschedule up to 10 days that were missed because of the storm. The Kentucky Department of Education would also be allowed to give the 10-day waiver to school districts in neighboring counties that did not declare states of emergency. State law requires schools to provide students with 177 instructional days. The 10-day waiver would also apply to schools that had to cancel classes when the remnants of Hurricane Ike ripped down power lines around the Louisville area in September, Cherry said.
February 4, 200917 yr Author The Enquirer has a better story on the bill. I bolded a part to point out to the posters that won't read the story and then make some dumb comment about giving the teachers more time off. http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20090204/NEWS0103/902040360 FRANKFORT - A Western Kentucky legislator plans to file a bill this week that would waive up to 10 missed school days in districts affected by the recent ice storm and last fall's windstorm. State Rep. Mike Cherry, D-Princeton, said his bill would apply only to this school year and only in areas where a disaster was officially declared. An emergency because of the ice storm has been declared in 95 of 120 counties. The bill, however, would give the Department of Education the discretion to apply the waiver to districts in areas where disaster declarations were not granted. "We don't want to push the school year abnormally forward into June," said Cherry, whose district was hit hard by the storm. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said he supports giving schools some relief. State law requires students to attend 177 six-hour days of class each academic year. Under state policy, districts that miss fewer than 20 days must make up the missed days or add minutes to each school day. Some superintendents had asked Gov. Steve Beshear to waive the days, but he has said he does not have that authority. Beshear spokesman Jay Blanton said Tuesday that the governor would have to see details of the legislation before deciding whether to support it. Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman has drafted a letter to the governor advocating the waiver, but is waiting to consult with the school board on Monday before sending it, said spokesman Marty Bell. Bell said, however, that a waiver would relieve some of the pressure on the district's budget, already taxed by overtime paid during the ice storm. School districts likely wouldn't save money on teacher pay because Cherry's bill is expected to call for teachers to work those days doing lesson planning or other professional development. Republican Rep. Ron Crimm, of Louisville, who also plans to file a bill to waive the missed days, said he is concerned about the lost time during the summer months for school renovation, maintenance and construction projects. Kentucky's 177 instructional days is below the national average of 180 days, Gross said. Cherry's bill would take many districts down to 167 days.
February 4, 200917 yr Lets continue to make excusses to NOT make up days. True education is not the focus of our schools or our government. Making sure we score right on a test is all that matters. I better get my kids Chinese language lessons so they can talk with their bosses. Go to School, Stay in School, Educate our youth! Freedom is not Free!
February 4, 200917 yr Author Lets continue to make excusses to NOT make up days. True education is not the focus of our schools or our government. Making sure we score right on a test is all that matters. I better get my kids Chinese language lessons so they can talk with their bosses. Go to School, Stay in School, Educate our youth! Freedom is not Free! I won't disagree with you on the bolded but not the focus of this thread. Great thread topic though if you want to start it.
February 4, 200917 yr Author It should be for ALL schools in the state or none of them. Why? If a school was not involved in either the windstorm or the ice/snow storm, why should they get days?
February 4, 200917 yr My understanding is that if calamity days are offered, a school district is not under obligation to accept them. Can someone clarify? Edited February 4, 200917 yr by bugatti
February 4, 200917 yr Why? If a school was not involved in either the windstorm or the ice/snow storm, why should they get days? Let me rephrase that, the proposal should include all schools in the state that had to call off.
February 4, 200917 yr Author My understanding is that if calamity days are offered. a school district is not under obligation to accept them. Can someone clarify? First, it would be up to the Dept of Ed whether a district would get them or not. The bill, however, would give the Department of Education the discretion to apply the waiver to districts in areas where disaster declarations were not granted. Then, yes, my understanding is that a district could say no to them. My district is wanting to start construction the first day after our last day of school. Possibility that if we have to push back into June, than the first day of school next year would have to be pushed back to be able to allow the construction to be completed before the kids came back to the elementary schools. Calamity days would allow construction to begin and finish without negatively affecting the next school year.
February 4, 200917 yr Author Let me rephrase that, the proposal should include all schools in the state that had to call off. That sounds feasible and the article stated... State Rep. Mike Cherry, D-Princeton, said his bill would apply only to this school year and only in areas where a disaster was officially declared. An emergency because of the ice storm has been declared in 95 of 120 counties.
February 4, 200917 yr I've heard my local high school has only been 6 days since Christmas. That's just crazy.
February 4, 200917 yr First, it would be up to the Dept of Ed whether a district would get them or not. The bill, however, would give the Department of Education the discretion to apply the waiver to districts in areas where disaster declarations were not granted. Then, yes, my understanding is that a district could say no to them. My district is wanting to start construction the first day after our last day of school. Possibility that if we have to push back into June, than the first day of school next year would have to be pushed back to be able to allow the construction to be completed before the kids came back to the elementary schools. Calamity days would allow construction to begin and finish without negatively affecting the next school year. Wouldn't they negatively affect THIS school year? One years disruption is more favorable than anothers? In the OC most kids are going to class in half finished buildings. Some moved over into their new building a couple of weeks ago and it is not complete. Where is the importance of the actual education? I have heard several around me complain that it could mess up their vacation. So vacation should take precedence over education? I am sure we will look for someone to blame, but this year has been ripe with Mother Nature issues. Unforseen events that cause a degree of discomfort both during the event as well as recouping from the event. The only thing owed is to our children that they are not cheated out of days, or subjects in order to issue "calamity" days.
February 4, 200917 yr Author [/b] Wouldn't they negatively affect THIS school year? One years disruption is more favorable than anothers? In the OC most kids are going to class in half finished buildings. Some moved over into their new building a couple of weeks ago and it is not complete. Where is the importance of the actual education? I have heard several around me complain that it could mess up their vacation. So vacation should take precedence over education? I am sure we will look for someone to blame, but this year has been ripe with Mother Nature issues. Unforseen events that cause a degree of discomfort both during the event as well as recouping from the event. The only thing owed is to our children that they are not cheated out of days, or subjects in order to issue "calamity" days. From my experience of working in the school district, the parents still go on vacation (cause it is not something they can move around with their work schedules) and the child is pulled out for that week of vacation. What is OC? And in our situation since they are putting a new roof on the elementary schools there is probably some safety issue about the kids being in a classroom where the roof is being replaced. I would guess there is.
February 4, 200917 yr Is there a list of the 95 counties? An emergency because of the ice storm has been declared in 95 of 120 counties.
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