Kansas school districts weigh impact of snow days

Yahoo

20-02-2025

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Snow days are stacking up as snow and arctic air linger. State law requires students to be in the classroom a set number of hours each year, but the question many parents are asking is, 'What if districts do not have enough hours left in the calendar to meet the need?'
In Kansas, students through grade 11 need 1,160 hours of learning. Seniors need a little less. Each district will look at its school calendar and the number of hours kids have been out due to the weather and determine if they have enough.
A Wichita Public Schools representative says as of now, USD 259 has not fallen below their required hours. But they are trying to think creatively about what they may need to change if they miss more school.
'I will tell you that considering the fact that we are running so low, we are looking at all options on the table. But no decisions have been made up to this point,' said Fabian Armendariz, Director of Operations at Wichita Public Schools.
KSN also spoke with the Teachers Union in Wichita. The union's vice president said that if changes are needed, it will likely affect the graduating seniors first.
'Seniors are probably going to have to come back for some extra days beyond what was scheduled so that they have the required number of hours for the state to complete this year and to graduate their courses,' said Mike Harris, Vice President of United Teachers of Wichita.
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He also said it wouldn't be out of the picture for kids to have to come back past Memorial Day if more school closures affect those total number of hours.
Teachers must stay focused on the learning and how to keep it consistent despite the cancellations.
'We are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure those kids get back on track,' said Gabriel Padilla, a teacher at West High School.
But staying on track with the extreme cold and snow has been tough for school districts.
'All students need something from school. And so providing that's been really hard, and we can't do that when we're not there,' said Padilla.
Padilla says that all the time that has already been missed impacts all students, not just his high schoolers.
He added, 'I feel for elementary school teachers. Any teachers that teach multiple content, multiple different subjects within their content, that can be really difficult.'
The Teachers' Union said that when there's a cancellation, it adds to the workload for students.
'It is really worrisome. But when the alternative is frostbite, frozen digits, kids walking to school without coats, jackets, no transportation for kids. I mean, the district has a lot of tough choices to make,' said Harris.
And for Padilla, he says his priority is the needs of his students.
'Asking them questions. What do they need for me? But really getting through the standards that they need to be able to succeed when they walk across the stage,' said Padilla.
To find KSN's list of closures and delays, click here.
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