Downstate Schools May Be Allowed Fewer Than 180 School Days

The heads of the state legislature’s education committees said on Thursday that they expect to consider legislation that would alleviate schools’ requirement to have classes for 180 days because of Hurricane Sandy.

According to published reports, school districts would face a loss of state aid if they have fewer than 180 days of classes. Lawmakers said they would look to modify the law to hold school districts downstate safe because of the extended school closures caused by the devastation from Sandy.

Allowing schools to hold fewer than 180 days of classes is not unprecedented. In fact, it was done this year after tropical storms Irene and Lee for parts of upstate hampered at the beginning of last school year.

The education department believes a new law would need to be passed in regards to hurricane sandy.