Hello to everyone in the Northwest Community!

I am getting this letter out on social media so you have more information in your hands regarding calamity days! I have received some questions and we felt like everyone could benefit from the following info:

Northwest Local Schools
 
Calamity Days and Instructional Hours – Frequently Asked Questions
 
Hello everyone!
 
Because of the crazy weather we have been experiencing, we felt compelled to send you a message explaining calamity days for our students. Obviously, school is closed when there is a risk for our students, faculty, and staff. 
 
There are many facets we consider when calling off school due to the weather. Below is a brief explanation to answer Frequently Asked Questions we have recently received.
 
How many calamity days are schools allowed to use?
 
There is no longer a specific limit on the number of school days for public schools throughout the state of Ohio. The previous limit of five (5) days was removed with the passage of HB 59 several years ago. 
 
That being said, Northwest Local Schools collective bargaining agreements with the teachers and classified staff require that all employees return to work after five (5) calamity days on a two-hour delay at the superintendent's discretion. Instructional staff use this time to prepare lesson plans; collaborate on activities for our students; review data to improve instructional practices; maintain staff meetings with the principals while classified staff use this time for safety trainings, maintenance projects and meetings with supervisors; the opportunities for us to improve are endless as we await the return of our students.
 
What did the HB 59 change for Northwest?
 
House Bill 59 replaced the requirement for a set number of school days with a requirement or a minimum number of instructional hours that must be met each school year.
 
What are the required instructional hours?
 

• Grades K – 6:              910 hours
• Grades 7 – 12:             1,001 hours

 
Does Northwest Local Schools meet the requirements?
 
At the time HB 59 passed every school was mandated to follow the current number of school days within their current calendar even while counting hours rather than days. Because of this, Northwest is well above the minimum number of required hours the state mandates and we are not close to needing to make-up instructional hours. The school board approved calendar exceeds the minimum instructional hours required by law.
 
How are the required hours monitored?
 
Our school administration carefully monitors the instructional hours as calamity days are used throughout the entirety of a calendar school year. If the need arises to make-up instructional hours, we will clearly communicate the next steps to parents and students. 
 
What counts towards instructional hours?
 
Instructional hours are defined by the Ohio Revised Code with additional guidance from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Hours are eligible to count as “instructional” including time when the district, school or building is open and all students are attending regularly scheduled classes, participating in supervised actives, and participating in co-curricular activities during the scheduled day. Time spent during lunch periods, breakfast periods and extracurricular activities cannot count as instructional hours. 
 
Where can more information be found? 
 
Additional details may be located from the ODEW website. If you have additional questions you can always call me at 330-573-9024 anytime.
 
Thank you all!
 
Shawn Braman 
Superintendent
Northwest Local Schools