93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
February’s winter storms closed schools across mid-Missouri, including the region’s two largest districts.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says 15.5 inches of snow and sleet fell in Columbia in February, impacting schools across the region.
Jefferson City Public Schools (JCPS) had seven total snow days in February, according to JCPS spokeswoman Ryan Burns.
Columbia Public Schools (CPS) has taken five school days for winter weather, plus one two-hour late start. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark says they’d look at eliminating one of their upcoming early release days, if they have to take another snow day.
She also notes that the state law changed and that snow days are now built into the calendar. She says the state sets a minimum number of required hours of instruction at 1,044 hours. CPS intends to keep May 26 as the last day of school.
Here’s the full statement from CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark:
“The law changed and snow days are now built into the calendar via the number of hours vs. days. The state sets a minimum number of required hours of instruction at 1044 hours. Previously, it was accounted for in days, not hours. Columbia exceeds the minimum requirement for number of hours of instruction. We have accounted for time for snow – about 6 days worth – into our existing calendar. If we exceed that built in time we would need to look at other options such as eliminating early release days or using some of the 36 hours the state allows for AMI. We have taken 5 school days for winter weather, plus one 2-hour late start. If we need any additional full winter weather days beyond what has already occurred, we would look to eliminate early release day time. We are intent on keeping our last day of school as May 26 as promised to our school-community.”
