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Highlands Today

Schools Delays Makeup-Day Decision Until Storm Season Fades

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: September 7, 2008

SEBRING - As State Education Commissioner Eric Smith recommends making up missed school days due to Tropical Storm Fay, Superintendent Wally Cox is waiting for the hurricane season to settle before making any makeup day decisions.
Tropical Storm Fay prompted the closing of Highlands County Schools on the second day of school, Aug. 19.

Additional school cancellation days would be a factor on when the Aug. 19 missed day and other days would be made up, according to the superintendent's office. Districts in northern states have snow makeup days built into their calendars, but the School Board of Highlands County does not have any storm/hurricane makeup days.

In a Sept. 2 memo to school districts, Smith stated "many school districts were forced to deal with the opening of shelters, flood conditions, power outages and other issues, which resulted in school closures throughout the state of up to four days.

"Because this emergency condition occurred early in the school year, I recommend that districts utilize existing flexibility in the school calendars to make up the instructional days that were missed by students."

Although state law allows a waiver of up to three days of the required 180 days of instruction for emergencies, it is advisable to delay use of this provision as it may be needed later in the school year, Smith stated.

Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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