Snow days drive school into June

The last two snow days have driven Decorah Community School classes into June. Currently the last day of classes is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th, with dismissal at 1:30 p.m.  The last day of classes could go later with additional cancellations.

Said Superintendent Mike Haluska, "It's not unusual to have substantial snowfalls through March and even into April.  That means school could easily go through the first full week of June or later.  Unlike Minnesota, the Iowa Department of Education has no allowance for weather-related days missed during the school year.  As a result, our days will need to be made up.  While I realize these days create issues for our families and, potentially, Vacation Bible School and Park and Rec, the ultimate goal is the safety of our children and we will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure that."

The Interim School Board discussed the issue on Monday night, mostly related to the impact on teachers who had opted for an early retirement option. If those teachers work into June they will not be able to draw an IPERS retirement check that month. The Interim School Board will need to address that issue later.

There was also some discussion by board members about parental concern regarding classes being held in June, but board members voiced full support for the decisions Superintendent Haluska has had to make in regard to closures, saying they would much rather have classes in June than have a tragedy occur because of dangerous road conditions.

Haluska noted that the likelihood of snow days driving classes into June has been increased by the Iowa Legislature dictating when the earliest class day can be in the month of August.  Decorah used to be one of the earlier starting school districts in the state and consequently was more able to avoid extending the school year into June.