Recent winter storms have led to multiple school closures across Kansas, prompting districts to assess their plans for meeting the state’s required instructional hours.
With students missing several days due to inclement weather, administrators are exploring various strategies to compensate for lost time and ensure compliance with educational mandates.
State Requirements and Current Status
In Kansas, students from kindergarten through 11th grade are required to receive a minimum of 1,116 instructional hours annually, while seniors have slightly reduced requirements.
Each district must monitor its calendar to ensure these thresholds are met, even after accounting for weather-related closures.
Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) have canceled classes for eight days this academic year due to severe weather conditions.
Despite these cancellations, district representatives report that they have not yet fallen below the required instructional hours.
However, with the possibility of additional closures, the district is proactively considering adjustments. Fabian Armendariz, Director of Operations at Wichita Public Schools, stated, “Considering the fact that we are running so low, we are looking at all options on the table. But no decisions have been made up to this point.”
Potential Adjustments and Teacher Perspectives
To address potential shortfalls in instructional time, districts are evaluating several options:
- Extending School Days: Adding minutes to each school day to gradually recover lost time.
- Utilizing Scheduled Breaks: Converting professional development days or holidays into regular school days.
- Adding Days to the End of the School Year: Pushing the last day of school further into the summer to make up for missed days.
Mike Harris, Vice President of United Teachers of Wichita, highlighted that changes might first affect graduating seniors to ensure they meet state requirements.
He noted, “Seniors are probably going to have to come back for some extra days beyond what was scheduled so that they have the required number of hours for the state to complete this year and to graduate their courses.”
Teachers are also adapting their lesson plans to maintain educational continuity. Gabriel Padilla, a teacher at West High School, emphasized the importance of flexibility, stating, “We are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure those kids get back on track.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by frequent disruptions, especially for educators handling multiple subjects.
District-Specific Plans
Different districts are implementing tailored strategies based on their unique circumstances:
- Lawrence Public Schools (USD 497): After eight inclement weather days, the district is assessing whether makeup time will be necessary. Spokesperson Julie Boyle mentioned that the current calendar exceeds the state’s required instructional hours, but further adjustments may be considered if additional closures occur.
- Kansas City Area Districts: Some districts have exhausted their allocated snow days and are now adding makeup days or extending hours to compensate for lost instructional time. For instance, certain schools are considering holding classes on previously scheduled holidays or professional development days.
Parental Concerns and Communication
Parents are closely monitoring the situation, understanding that additional snow days could lead to extended school years or altered schedules.
Districts are striving to keep families informed about potential changes and the rationale behind them. The Teachers’ Union acknowledges the challenges, with Harris noting, “It is really worrisome.
But when the alternative is frostbite, frozen digits, kids walking to school without coats, jackets, no transportation for kids. I mean, the district has a lot of tough choices to make.”
As winter progresses, Kansas school districts continue to navigate the complexities of weather-related closures.
By proactively considering various strategies and maintaining open communication with educators and families, districts aim to ensure that students receive the required instructional hours without compromising safety or educational quality.