“Snow Days” Exhausted By Local Schools; Federal Holidays Removed From County Schedule

Huntsville, TN (2011-01-13) With area schools shuttered by the recent extended period of inclement weather, both local school districts have exhausted their so-called “snow days”; a series of 13-days integrated into the school calendar to offset weather related closures and delays. As result, the Scott County School System has removed a pair of federal holidays which were originally meant to be non-instructional days from its calendar. Weather permitting, students will return to class on Monday.

Thursday night, the Scott County Board of Education voted 6-0 with member Brian Strunk absent to amend the district 2010-2011 school calendar to eliminate Martin Luther King Day (January 17, 2011) and Presidents Day (February 21, 2011) from its list of non-instructional days. The measure was an attempt by school officials to avoid the possible elimination of the district’s spring break in April, the extension of the school year, or other measures to meet the state mandated 180 days of instruction.

“Our 13 stockpile days will be exhausted as of Friday,” remarked Sharon Wilson, Director of the Scott County School System. Since its only mid-January, many more days of bad weather may lie ahead. “(We) certainly anticipate additional days,” Wilson added.

While state officials have touted the possibility of a one-time exemption from the 180 day requirement, no action has been taken. “We’ll just have to wait and see,” commented Wilson.

Meanwhile, the district’s action will mean students will return to the classroom one day earlier than expected, as Monday, January 17, 2011 will be an instruction day in the county. County officials announced the change with one preamble—weather permitting. With temperatures expected to moderate over the weekend, road conditions are expected to improve; however, forecasters are still calling for a slight chance of rain and snow.

Students of the Oneida Special School District will have another day of winter vacation, as the district has opted not to return on Monday. The district’s first day back in the classroom is Tuesday, January 18, 2011.