Administrators and school board members at Batesville Community School Corporation are continuing to review options to make up for the snow days that have occurred this winter.
The severe weather has led to eleven closings and multiple delays, including a 2-hour delay on Tuesday. According to Dr. Jim Roberts, BCSC superintendent, there have been a total of 87 hours of missed time as of Monday night.
School corporations that had snow days on Jan. 6 and 7 do not have to make those missed days up if they apply and are granted a waiver courtesy of State Superintendent Glenda Ritz. Schools have until June to apply for that waiver.
“We have simply waited to file the waiver until we know the exact number of days we have to make up,” said BCSC Superintendent Dr. Roberts.
BCSC has make up days assigned for each day missed due to the weather this year. The last student day at Batesville is currently scheduled for Tuesday, June 3. If the school would apply for the waiver, the final day would be Friday, May 30.
School districts across the state are considering different options to subtract the number of days. Some corporations will utilize E-learning while others will extend certain school days by an hour or potentially be in session on a Saturday.
Batesville students will most likely avoid having class on a Saturday, as long as there isn’t a major addition in snow days.
With ISTEP testing right around the corner, teachers are hoping the snow days will not have an adverse impact on student scores. Last week, the State Board of Education extended the testing period from March 3-21. The previous deadline was March 12.
School officials will continue reviewing different options for make up days if more snow days are accumulated.
