Mayer: Lawmakers Support DESE's Decision to Forgive School Days for Flooded Districts

JEFFERSON CITY – School districts serving communities in Southeast Missouri impacted by massive flooding in recent weeks will not have to make up school days missed due to the flooding, according to information provided by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, and Reps. Todd Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, and Kent Hampton, R-Malden, recently notified the department that they would support a decision to forgive school days in a number of schools in their districts.

"The intense weather conditions we experienced led to breached levees, covered roads, and destroyed property," said Mayer. "Many of my constituents have even been forced to evacuate their homes. In light of these extreme circumstances, I believe our local schools that were forced to close should not have to make up that lost time."

The lawmakers noted several schools in the districts they serve were forced to close due to severe flood conditions. They added that on April 25, the governor issued Executive Order 11-08, authorizing the National Guard to assist the state in providing relief to affected areas as a result of flash floods and other weather conditions.

The following list of schools requested the department authorize a reduction of the required number of hours and days their students must attend school this school year: Doniphan (6 days), Greenville R-2 (9 days), Naylor R-II (7 days), Neelyville (7 days), New Madrid (1 day), Poplar Bluff R-1 (7 days), Puxico R-III (9 days), and Twin Rivers R-X (9 days).

"The people of Butler County have suffered through some of the most severe weather in recent memory with thousands displaced from their homes," said Richardson. "The schools in our district have been out of session as a result and with the end of the school year drawing near, I believe it would place an undue burden on the district to make up those lost days. I am glad Commissioner Nicastro did the right thing for our area by forgiving the days lost due to the flooding."

"Our school districts have been put in a difficult situation because of the extreme weather conditions and we must do all we can to help them in this time of need," said Hampton. "It's in the best interest of the districts and the students to forgive these days. I appreciate the commissioner's quick action to resolve this issue."

Missouri has an inclement weather policy that has been in place since 2009 authorizing the department to make decisions regarding school attendance requirements in the face of inclement weather. Information regarding the state's school make up policy in regard to inclement weather can be found online here.