Schools

School Issues in the News

State legislators are looking at bills that could affect all-day kindergarten and calamity days.

While has been attracting a lot of attention, a number of other bills being discussed by the state’s legislators could also affect local schools in big ways. Here are a few:

Ohio House Bill 30: 

This bill would repeal the state mandate requiring school districts to offer all-day kindergarten at no cost to parents, among other things. 

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Legislators are looking for ways to save money, said Patrick Gallaway, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Education, and removing the mandate is expected to reduce the burden on local districts, which would have had to fund the all-day programs. On the other end of the spectrum, Gallaway said there have been parents contacting the department, concerned that this option was going to be removed.

“And they’re tough decisions, obviously,” Gallaway said.

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The . 

In the past, the district has offered half-day kindergarten programs with a full-day, tuition-based option for families, an option that would not be possible if the bill does not pass. 

But the district continued to offer this option during kindergarten registration last week, said Carla Calevich, director of curriculum and instruction, and 38 students will be placed in two, full-day classes at and elementary schools – assuming the bill becomes law. 

Ohio House Bill 36:

This bill would extend the that districts are able to use to close school for emergencies or inclement weather from three to five. Districts have had five days in the past, but that number was changed to three for this academic year. 

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District has used five calamity days so far this year, said assistant to the superintendent, Cheryl Richardson. If this bill does not pass, students will have to make up the additional two days they missed.  

Check Brecksville Patch for updates and final outcomes on these bills. 


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