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Snow Days May Affect Md. School Calendars

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As we prepare for another round of snow, local schools are bracing for another possible snow day. For some schools, this will be another snow day too many.

Derek Valcourt has more on how the snow days are impacting some Maryland school calendars.

Schools only have so many snow days built into the year. Now some are scrambling to figure out how they're going to make up this lost time later.

Kids may love what a snow day brings, but a lot of parents cringe over a closing.

"It is frustrating because we're ready for them to be in school and learn," said one parent.

The decision to close isn't one made lightly.

"It's been very tough. We've had many school closings and delays this year," said Jim Mitcherling.

Mitcherling helps to make the recommendations for Baltimore County schools.

"I want to make sure that every student gets to or from school safely and that's why we make these decisions to either delay or close based on what Mother Nature sends our way," Mitcherling said.

So far, Baltimore County is one of the only school systems in central Maryland that hasn't used all of their allotted snow days. Carroll County has already used two more days than they had planned.

"That's a lot of time. A lot of time at home for the parents," said Markette Williams.

So when will the schools make up the snow days? Every county has to come up with their own solution.

Carroll County has already decided to cancel one of their teacher professional days. They'll ask state education officials for a waiver for up to three more days. Beyond that, they say they'll be forced to extend their school year.

Harford County schools are already planning to tack on extra days in June.

Other school systems will likely be facing similar choices after the snow expected later this week.

This storm will put several school systems in the red. And, of course, we've still got another month or more of potentially snowy weather, so school systems know this problem isn't going away and could just get worse.

Schools are required to be open for 180 days each year. Only the state Board of Education can approve a waiver of up to three days.

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