State Says 'No' To Montgomery Schools Snow Waiver

From Montgomery Community Media:

Maryland education officials have rejected Montgomery County Public Schools' request for a waiver of two school days lost to the winter blizzard.

That leaves the last day of school for students up in the air, for now.

School officials released this statement:

“We are disappointed in the state’s decision at this point to deny our request for a two-day waiver. We are exploring our options to address this decision and look forward to working with the state to resolve this as quickly as possible so our families will know when the last day of school will be. The state granted a two-day waiver for Prince George’s County’s making their school year 178 days. We simply are asking for the same treatment.”

Maryland schools are required to be open a minimum of 180 days and 1,080 hours per school year at the elementary and middle school levels, and 1,170 hours at the high school level, according to = the state Department of Education. Local school systems develop their own calendars based on those requirements.

In Montgomery County, the last day of school is currently scheduled for June 17.

MCPS has posted a contingency calendar on its website to explain what happens if the waiver request continues to be denied.

CONTINGENCY CALENDAR
If schools are closed… The school year will be extended by…

5 days — 1 day to June 20, 2016
6 days — 2 days to June 20 and 21, 2016
7 days — 3 days to June 20, 21, and 22, 2016
8 days — 4 days to June 20, 21, 22, and 23, 2016
9 days — 5 days to June 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24, 2016