The state Board of Education voted on Thursday to give school districts the flexibility to not make up as many as nine of the school days canceled because of the two winter storms that hit Georgia over the past month.
The unanimous vote was expected after a committee of board members approved the idea on Wednesday.
Districts can add days back to their school calendar or finish the year without adding days. Many districts are adding time to the school day or canceling winter break to make up for the days that were canceled during the storms.
“With these broad-reaching events we’ve had this year, I do think this is appropriate,” board member Mike Royal said. “I think this is a good thing to do for schools.”
Normally, districts are required to have 180 instructional days and must get special permission from the state Board of Education to shorten that calendar.
The resolution means districts won’t have to seek a waiver to forgo the snow days.
DeKalb Superintendent Michael Thurmond said he will meet with senior staff Friday to discuss make-up day options. He said the district’s decision would take into account what works best for students preparing for upcoming standardized tests.
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