Governor Signs Bill Restoring ‘Calamity’ Days for Ohio Schools

Gov. John Kasich today signed the bill that would increase the number of “calamity” days schools can use from three to five, according to a press release from the governor’s office. 

allow schools to close for days of bad weather, like heavy snow, or other emergencies. In recent years, districts have had five of these days to use throughout the year; this school year, districts started out with only three days, a change made during the last administration. Any days in excess of the permitted amount must be made up, usually during vacations. Ohio House Bill 36, the bill signed into law today, increased the number of days back to five. 

“We’re very pleased,” said Cathy Harbinak, Brecksville-Broadview Heights’ coordinator of community relations.  

If this bill had not passed, students and staff would have had to stay in school an extra two days after summer vacation was scheduled to start. Now, the schools’ calendars will not be disrupted, Harbinak said.