HB 682, school make up days approved by General Assembly

Debris from the January ice storm, in addition to downed power lines, presented hazardous conditions for students at the Kennett Middle School campus and other area campuses following the late January ice storm. File photo by George Anderson [Click to enlarge]

Under a bill passed by the General Assembly Wednesday, advanced by Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, students in the school districts of Malden, Kennett, and Senath-Hornersville who missed more than two weeks of school during the snow and ice storms that pummeled southeast Missouri in January will not have to make up the usual number of school days lost due to inclement weather.

In early February, officials from the Kennett School District, and other area schools visited Jefferson City to meet with Legislators in regards to an issue with campuses being closed for several consecutive days due to the ice storm.

Kim Lowry, principal at South Elementary, Scottie Landess, pre-school and kindergarten counselor, and Lori Telgen, early childhood special education instructor and the president of the Kennett Community Teachers Association, came prepared with pictures to show Legislators the severity of the situation. The graphic pictures showed the downed power lines and other destruction, as well as how close those lines were to the school, bus stops and walking routes. The photos also revealed the destruction of school property from falling limbs and lines.

One of the main issues concerning school officials has been the number of make-up days required for the students to meet the number of school days required under the law. The law states that schools, which close due to inclement weather, are required to make up six days and half the number of days lost or canceled in excess of six days. Under this law, area schools would have been required to make up 11 of its 16 days missed. Many schools in the Southeast area had already lost over 10 days of school for the school year 2008-2009 and saw the potential to miss additional days before the winter season ended.

On February 11, Rep. Terry Swinger, D-Caruthersville, gave a presentation depicting the plight of the Kennett public schools, similar to that of other districts, to the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. Rep. Swinger showed the Committee the pictures of the ice storm and its destruction, which includes the entire Bootheel area. He also showed pictures of teachers working in the shelters assisting others. The Committee agreed that something needed to be done to help the Southeast school districts.

On the suggestion of the committee, Rep. Swinger drafted House Bill 682, to limit the make up days to ten for the school year 2008-2009, as a result of the winter storm. The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Todd, D-Campbell, and 65 other Representatives, both Democrat and Republican.

Following the passage of the bill on Wednesday, Senator Mayer commented on the decision, expressing his appreciation for the General Assembly's approval.

"I am very pleased the General Assembly agreed to this measure that will help these school districts avoid the problems that would be caused by having to make up several weeks of school and having students attend school well into the summer," Sen. Mayer said.

According to Mayer, the bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect upon the governor's signature.