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Missouri schools given the option of 'snow minutes' instead of snow days

Posted at 5:31 PM, Jul 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-17 18:31:39-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a law that would give school districts the option to add time to the school day instead of snow days at the end of the school year.

“My girls are really looking forward to snow,” said Jordan Lynch.

With the recent heat, some people would not complain about a cool Kansas City day.

Parson gave school districts the option to have snow minutes instead of days tacked on at the end of the year.

“We had quite a few days that we lost due to inclement weather, and because of the state law we had to wait until the end of the year to add on those days,” said Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell.

Until now, the school year was recorded by days, now it’s hours.

Meaning if make up time is needed, your child’s school day could be extended by minutes.

“It makes sense. Our students are in school, our teachers are in school. We can take those instructional minutes and tailor it to better support our kids,” said Bedell.

“It doesn't make a difference to me, they all go to school from my house,” said Pamela Taute.

Taute picks up her two grandchildren from school every day.

“There is always someone home at my house when they come in. We pick up the youngest ones, so it doesn't make a difference,” she said. 

Across the state line, school districts in Kansas already have the option of adding minutes or days. Jordan Lynch just moved from Louisiana. Her daughter will attend a Shawnee Mission school.  

“For scheduling reasons, then I know, even if it’s a whole day, then it affects my vacation but I know every day I have childcare arranged and it wont change,” Lynch said. 

The change will happen during the 2019-2020 school year.

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