State school superintendent watching the days add up

First there were the sub-zero temperatures and now the water crisis. Many West Virginia schools had to cancel classes, on multiple days, last week.

It’s concerning for state Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jim Phares. He wants students in the classroom as much as possible in order to get those required 180 days, of instructional time.

He says frigid temperature and contaminated water aren’t the types of events you can plan for ahead of time. Luckily many school systems across the state got the school year started a week, even two, earlier than, in year’s past. That will help make up for some of the days.

But Phares says we’ll see real change in the 2014/2015 school year.

“The work that was done in Senate Bill 339 will become more readily apparent after this winter season,” according to the superintendent.

Currently, state law still requires school to end by June 8.  Phares says depending on how the rest of the winter works out, some school systems may not meet the 180 mark.

He’s anxious for the new rules to go into place that will allow classes to continue through much of June.