Maryland Leaders OK Newest Request from Montgomery Schools to Waive Snow Days

Montgomery County parents can finalize their summer vacation plans. 

The Maryland State Department of Education on Wednesday approved a waiver for the county’s schools and the last day of classes will be Friday, June 13.

The tradeoff will be cutting Easter break one day shorter. Montgomery County Public Schools will make up two instructional days that were lost this winter due to snow days.

Under the revised calendar, classes will be held on Monday, April 21, also known as Easter Monday, and Friday, June 13, which will be the last day of school for students.

No other snow days will have to be made up under the state-approved plan, the district says. The 2013-2014 school calendar has 184 days of instruction, which is four more than required by state law. MCPS has had 10 snow days this school year and is six days under the 180 days of instruction required by the state.
 
On Wednesday, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery granted a waiver for Montgomery County if school is held on April 21 and June 13.  
 
“We appreciate Dr. Lowery’s recognition that this has been a very unusual winter and her willingness to grant us some flexibility in our calendar,” said Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr. “By holding classes on April 21 and June 13, we can make up two valuable days of instruction without significantly disrupting our community’s summer schedules." 

Montgomery officials had initially asked the state to forgive five missed school days and said they would extend the school year by a day, to June 13. That plan was rejected Tuesday.

State officials last week also rejected a five-day waiver request from Anne Arundel County.

Prince George’s County, which lost eight days, is waiting for a decision on its request for a four-day waiver.