Schools Would Not be Penalized if Bill Passes

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2/ 9/2011: Radio Story - Missouri schools would not lose funding if they do not make up the recent snow days under a bill that will soon be introduced.

Intro:	After a recent snowstorm caused school closings across the state, there are concerns districts would be penalized if they don't make up the missed days.
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Wrap: One-hundred-and-seventy-four.

That's the minimum number of school days the state of Missouri requires students to attend each school year.

If districts don't meet the requirement they are at risk of losing state funding.

But some lawmakers are working to make sure that doesn't happen.

Chairman of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee Scott Dieckhaus says a bill could soon be passed allowing schools not to make up any days of school missed between January thirty-first and February fourth.

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Description: What we're trying to do is we're trying to come up with some sort of way to exempt schools from having to make up x number of days, and ultimately what we're trying to do is just make sure that the schools are not going to lose their state aid.

The bill will be introduced Thursday.

From the state Capitol, I'm Danielle McCarthy.

Intro:	Legislators are moving to make an exception to the minimum number of required school days so districts won't lose school funding.
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Wrap: After unusual winter weather caused several school closings across Missouri, districts are discussing make-up days.

In order to qualify for state aid, schools must require at least 174 days of student attendance.

But Representative Joe Aull is introducing a bill Thursday that would excuse school days missed between January thirty-first and February fourth from being made up at the end of the year.

Chairman of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee Scott Dieckhaus says the bill has plenty of support.

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Description: I would guess it's probably going to come pretty quickly, because it's kind of an urgent measure. It would have nearly unanimous support, because it's affecting every part of the state right now - the weather has been.

Aull says he won't know if the bill will pass untill early March.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says it is unfamiliar with this bill.

But it doesn't expect any schools will lose state funding.

From the state Capitol, I'm Danielle McCarthy.

Intro:	A bill is being introduced that could prevent some school districts in Missouri from losing state aid.
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Wrap: Representative Joe Aull is introducing a bill Thursday that would excuse schools from making up any days missed between January thirty-first and February fourth.

During this time Governor Nixon declared a statewide emergency because of snow and ice storms throughout the state.

As of now, if schools don't make up all the necessary days, they risk losing state funding.

But Aull thinks making up all those missed days should not be mandatory.

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Description: I think you kind of try to walk the line. Schools do need to make up the time they missed. The time the kids have in the classroom is very important. We don't want to slight kids in that area, but if we extend the school year too long, I think it becomes counterproductive.

Aull says he is getting a large amount of support of his bill from both sides of the aisle.

From the state Capitol, I'm Danielle McCarthy.