Snow days pile up for area schools

The snow, cold and ice that have besieged the region in recent weeks has piled on the makeup days for school districts, leaving them to figure out how to fill required instruction time.

In Cape Girardeau and Scott counties, students have missed up to 14 days. But in more rural areas, the total is as high as 20 days, school officials said Thursday. In Missouri, schools have to be in class for 174 days, and/or 1,044 hours.

The Cape Girardeau School District on Feb. 7 released an amended calendar for the month because of missed days from inclement weather. Instead of adding days to an already-extended school year, students will attend today and Feb. 24 -- originally scheduled as days off. The last day of school is

scheduled for May 22.

Makeup days for Cape Girardeau include today, Feb. 24, April 17, April 21, May 21 and May 22, district communications director Dana Saverino wrote in an email to the Southeast Missourian.

At its meeting Monday, the Jackson School Board approved a proposal from the district and Community Teachers Association to have students attend class Feb. 21, a scheduled conference day, and April 22, a scheduled day off during spring break, as makeup sessions. The last day of school -- for now -- is May 29, according to information from the district.

Scott City students have missed 10 days for weather and one for a water main break. The last day of school now is set for May 27, according to the superintendent's office.

Students in the Nell Holcomb School District have missed 10 days, superintendent Darryl Pannier said. The district's last day is now May 23. Originally it was May 16.

Pannier said the last time he recalls missing school for an extended period was during in 2008 and 2009 because of ice storms.

At Oak Ridge, Dr. Gerald Landewee said students have missed 14 days, and their tentative last day is May 23.

"Some of that is pending if we have further weather or unforeseen events that would close school," Landewee said.

He said the district made up two days in January, is projected to make up three in February, and "we tacked on five at the end of this year."

He said he doesn't recall the district missing more than five or six days in the past five years.

"This has been an unusual year for everyone," Landewee said, "and we're still in mid-February."

Students in Perry County School District No. 32 have missed 15 days, bringing its last school day to May 30. The year originally was supposed to conclude May 23, according information from the superintendent's office.

The Zalma School District has missed 20 days this year, and superintendent Darryl Sauer said students just returned to class Thursday -- their first school day since Jan. 31. He said the district has made up three days this year, and will be in session on Presidents Day, as well.

As for when the school year will end, Sauer said: "I haven't really looked at it because we could still have some weather and flooding in the spring."

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau

614 E. Adams St., Jackson

6547 Missouri 177, Cape Girardeau

3000 Main St., Scott City

326 College St., Perryville, Mo.

4198 State Highway E, Oak Ridge

1 School St., Zalma, Mo.