By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
North Royalton School Superintendent might be the most beloved in recent history of the North Royalton Schools, as North Royalton School students got another snow day on February 18, when the city was pelted with another seven plus inches of snow. Once again, the North Royalton Schools had to call a calamity day, the fifth so far this year. “It’s always a difficult decision to make,” said Greg Gurka.
In 2014, the North Royalton Schools took calamity days on January 6, 7, 28 and 29, due to sub-zero temperatures. This latest day called on February 18 was due to the volume of snow and the winds that created continual drifting. “With the heavy snow, blowing and drifting, my guys just couldn’t keep up,” said Gurka. By 5:00 a.m. it was evident that the day needed to be called. The district’s school buses normally start at 6:30 a.m., so the decision needed to be made. Although the city’s snow removal were in full swing, the timing of the snow and the blowing and drifting made the focus to the main roads, said Gurka. “Our buses and students who drive don’t just use the main roads, they also use the back roads and side streets,” said Gurka.
Gurka said that he cannot remember when the district had to take all available calamity days. Since, at this time, all of the five calamity days that the State of Ohio currently allows have been used, the district is now preparing for possible future weather days. “As this was our last available snow day, if we need to close schools again, we will put into motion what is called ‘blizzard bags.’ The state allows us to use three days of at-home activities with our students prior to making up days. Our Curriculum Director, Bruce Bradley, has worked with our principals and teachers and we have on-line lessons ready to go if such a situation presents itself. Hopefully, we will not have to use them and spring will arrive soon!”
If the weather persists and the three days are utilized, the district will then have to add days onto the school year calendar. They can add at the end of the year, or shorten its spring break. However, this year’s spring break runs from March 24 through the 28. Cleveland winter weather can go as late as the end of April. If extra days are needed to be added to the school year, Gurka said that there will be added cost to the district, but not in the form of personnel, as agreements with teachers and other staff members include the possibility of using those extra days.
The Ohio legislature has also considered the extraordinary winter, with several pieces of legislation being discussed that would allow for extra calamity days this year. Some legislators thought that the extra days were excessive, so the legislation has now gone back to Committee, said Gurka.
On February 19, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation, House Bill 416, to increase the allocation of the number of calamity days for Ohio School Districts for the 2013-2014 school year. The bill increases the allocation from five days, adding two additional calamity days, plus another two professional development days for teachers. House Bill 416 now moves to the Ohio Senate for a vote.