Disagreement among House Republicans stalled a planned Wednesday vote on a bill that would give Ohio school districts up to four more snow days.
State law allows school districts to forgive up to five “calamity days” for hazardous weather, disease epidemics and other emergencies each year, but harsh winter weather has led many school districts to cancel after using all calamity days. House Bill 416, sponsored by Republican Reps. Tony Burkley of Payne and Brian Hill of Zanesville, would allow schools to claim up to four more calamity days so they wouldn’t have to make up the days at the end of the school year.
The bill moved out of the House Education Committee after only one hearing, during which several school officials lobbying for the extra calamity days said four fewer days of instruction would not negatively impact student achievement.
Committee Chairman Rep. Gerald Stebelton, R-Lancaster, said Wednesday that some House Republicans have concerns about whether lawmakers should grant more days or allow different ways to make up that time. Stebelton said there’s also a concern that excusing more days might conflict with teacher contracts.
“We need to get some things clarified and we figured another week would help us do that,” Stebelton said.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have other plans for aiding hard-hit school districts. Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Sen. Peggy Lehner, R-Kettering, said senators are working on language to require school districts to first use other emergency days penciled in on calendars before taking any extra calamity days.
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