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McGuffey working on online program

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CLAYSVILLE – Since 2003, McGuffey School District had only two years in which no days were made up because of inclement weather.

This year, three days were added to five built-in snow makeup days, pushing the last day of school from June 5 to June 10.

Public schools are mandated to have at least 180 days of instruction by the state Department of Education.

“The biggest challenge is on graduates,” said Dr. Laura Jacob, assistant superintendent.

Many graduating seniors had to change their summer work plans because of makeup days. Jacob said there also are students who signed up for the armed forces who were forced to delay basic training.

Closures because of inclement weather and extreme temperatures are not unique to McGuffey. Throughout the region, school districts struggle to get students to campus during the winter months, especially in rural areas like Claysville. During years of excessive snow, ice and frigid temperatures, districts have few options in making the school calendar work.

One alternative is to request a waiver from the state, which is granted only as a last resort. Last school year, Bethlehem-Center School District was granted a waiver in which seniors stayed after school for one hour each day for more than two weeks in order to graduate on schedule.

After months of work by an assembled group, McGuffey may have found a better way to squeeze in their required days.

A flexible instruction day program was put together by a team consisting of administration, teachers, guidance department members, parents and students, in which as many as five days can be accounted for by students either using home computers or coming to school without district-provided transportation.

Jacob outlined the program for school directors Thursday. The program has to be approved by the state Education Department and includes several criteria, including a contingency plan in the event students are unable to access the Internet or are without power.

According to Jacob, students will receive a call alerting them a flex day has been instituted. They then have to log on to the system from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to confirm their attendance for the day and will receive assignments by 10 a.m. Teachers will be required to report to school on flex days, and students will have the option to attend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Board member Frank Archambault questioned why teachers would be required to come to the school in inclement weather.

Jacob explained the flex days will be used in situations when it is not dangerous to use the roads, such as on days school is canceled because of low temperatures.

The district will participate in a practice day before the system is utilized.

“Evaluations will be completed by students, parents and staff to make improvements,” Jacob said.

She stressed the program has not been officially adopted and approval is needed by the state and McGuffey’s school board.

The school board also approved a preliminary budget for the 2015-16 school year of $30,794,795, with a millage rate of 126.15. A final approval by the board would mean a tax increase of 2.95 mills.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, a preliminary budget must be approved no later than May 31 and at least 30 days before a final budget adoption. The next regularly scheduled board meeting is June 18.

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