LANSING, Mich. — School districts across Michigan that have been closed this week in response to the extreme cold conditions are getting closer of running out of allowable missed days.
Under Michigan law, school districts are allowed six canceled days due to conditions beyond their control, such as severe storms, fires, epidemics, power outages, water or sewer failure, or other health issues.
Schools can request an extra three days from the state superintendent once the original six days are used up.
The extra days are not automatically approved because districts must prove a need for extra time and show why they can't reschedule missed days for later in the school year.
Now, Michigan schools could be faced with adding school hours or days to make up the time.
"I'd rather they make it up in the summer when it's a little warmer. Right now it's just too cold. It's sub-zero weather out there and I don't want my daughter standing at the bus stop or walking home from school or anything like that, I'd rather her do it in June," says Darren Horn, a parent of a Lansing School District student.
Michigan K-12 districts must provide 180 days of instruction to students every year.
State law requires districts to offer at least 1,098 hours of instruction during that time. If those requirements are not met, districts are at risk of not receiving their full State School Aid funding.
