Ritz, board disagree on snow day waiversBy Eric Weddle, [email protected]:13 p.m. EST January 16, 2014
(Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)
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Teachers and students cheered when Superintendent of Public Education Glenda Ritz announced schools that canceled classes two days last week because of extreme cold will not have to make up those days.
But some members of the State Board of Education Wednesday questioned why Ritz would effectively give hundreds of schools a free pass when state law requires 180 days of instruction time for public schools. The discussion, which did not require a board vote, showed the first hint of tensions between Ritz and members since they agreed to new operational rules last month with the help of a mediator.
More than 300 schools have requested waivers from the state Department of Education to not have to make up missed classroom days Jan. 6 and 7. Ritz said they will be granted.
Daniel Elsener, board member, asked why these schools don’t plan extra days into their calendar in case of cancellations for weather and thus have no need for waivers.
“Bad weather in Indiana is not an unusual circumstance,” Elsener said. “Getting your building hit by a tornado would be an unusual circumstance. Bad weather just comes to Indiana. A unique situation would be when no bad weather came to Indiana.”
Sarah O’Brien, like other board members, said the schools were correct to close, and noted many stay shuttered all last week. But O’Brien worried if Ritz’s blanket waiver confused what type of situations would be considered. She noted some counties were under travel restrictions for much of last week, not just Jan. 6 and 7, so schools remained closed.
“I’m worried we’ve blurred the line now for what’s acceptable for waiver,” she said.
Ritz stood firm. She said there was too much danger for students to attend schools, plus the government offices had closed, so she offered the waivers. Schools can still decide whether to make up the two days.
“I do support the 180 day attendance law but i do have the authority to grant waivers and I chose to do that as my predecessors have.”
Ritz said some schools have requested additional day waivers but those will likely be denied.
Call Star reporter Eric Weddle at (317) 444-6222. Follow him on Twitter: @ericweddle.
(Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)
SHARE 226CONNECTTWEET 8COMMENTEMAILMORE
Teachers and students cheered when Superintendent of Public Education Glenda Ritz announced schools that canceled classes two days last week because of extreme cold will not have to make up those days.
But some members of the State Board of Education Wednesday questioned why Ritz would effectively give hundreds of schools a free pass when state law requires 180 days of instruction time for public schools. The discussion, which did not require a board vote, showed the first hint of tensions between Ritz and members since they agreed to new operational rules last month with the help of a mediator.
More than 300 schools have requested waivers from the state Department of Education to not have to make up missed classroom days Jan. 6 and 7. Ritz said they will be granted.
Daniel Elsener, board member, asked why these schools don’t plan extra days into their calendar in case of cancellations for weather and thus have no need for waivers.
“Bad weather in Indiana is not an unusual circumstance,” Elsener said. “Getting your building hit by a tornado would be an unusual circumstance. Bad weather just comes to Indiana. A unique situation would be when no bad weather came to Indiana.”
Sarah O’Brien, like other board members, said the schools were correct to close, and noted many stay shuttered all last week. But O’Brien worried if Ritz’s blanket waiver confused what type of situations would be considered. She noted some counties were under travel restrictions for much of last week, not just Jan. 6 and 7, so schools remained closed.
“I’m worried we’ve blurred the line now for what’s acceptable for waiver,” she said.
Ritz stood firm. She said there was too much danger for students to attend schools, plus the government offices had closed, so she offered the waivers. Schools can still decide whether to make up the two days.
“I do support the 180 day attendance law but i do have the authority to grant waivers and I chose to do that as my predecessors have.”
Ritz said some schools have requested additional day waivers but those will likely be denied.
Call Star reporter Eric Weddle at (317) 444-6222. Follow him on Twitter: @ericweddle.