The Ohio House of Representatives plans to vote — again — on a plan to excuse schools from rescheduling up to four days of classes cancelled due to extreme winter weather.
House Republicans delayed a vote last week because of concerns about the state paying for days when school wasn’t in session. The bill is slated for another vote Wednesday.
Bill co-sponsor and Republican Rep. Tony Burkley of Payne told Northeast Ohio Media Group most of those concerns have been addressed. He expects the bill to pass the GOP-controlled House this week.
But the plan might stall in the Senate, which has other ideas for how to help school districts hit hard by winter weather. Senate GOP leaders say schools should first use up so-called “contingency days” before using extra “calamity days.” Schools are required to pencil in five days to use as make-up days if necessary.
Schools can decide not to make up five calamity days each year in cases of hazardous weather, disease epidemics and other emergencies.
District superintendents told lawmakers that snow and low temperatures have forced them to close schools several more times this year than usual. A few more calamity days would ease the pressure to hold school on future days, they said.
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