Calamity days in Ohio's schools...

"When a high school varsity athletic game or match is canceled because of snow, more than likely it will be rescheduled. We should expect no less of our children’s classroom time."*

For anyone who doesn't know, "calamity days" are days when the schools are closed for things like snow, flooding, power outages, illness, and so on. Once you pass the allowable number of calamity days for one school year, the district has to make up the time. For years, the number of allowable calamity days per school year was five. This school year (2010-2011), that number changed to three. What many don't realize is that without further action by the General Assembly, the number would have returned to five for next school year (so 2011-2012).

In their infinite wisdom, the current General Assembly has decided to change the law back for this school year. (This hasn't actually passed yet, but I'm guessing that it will.)

This is ludicrous. If they want to continue to allow for five days, then extend the school year (something that should be done anyway). Why we're still following a school schedule that was set up in the days when kids didn't go to school when they were needed in the family fields is just beyond me.

*This quote comes to you from an editorial in the TimesReporter.com.