Submitted article
With the increased number of calamity days used during the 2014-15 school year, the Galion City School District Board of Education took preliminary action to address the immediate need for makeup days. The Board voted unanimously during its special meeting Feb. 5 to seek approval from the Galion Education Association and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Local #370 to open school on Monday, Feb. 16 and Monday, April 6.
These makeup days were used during the 2013-2014 because the district missed a total of 16 days due to inclement weather. There are concerns that the current number of missed days will adversely impact student achievement and performance, despite the fact that the district’s calendar currently exceeds the state required minimum instructional hours for the school year. So far this school year, the Galion City School District has missed a total of nine (9) school days. Should the Teachers Association and Support Staff Association agree, the district’s doors would be open for students and teachers on Monday, Feb. 16 (President’s Day) and Monday, April 6, the day after Easter.
“The best place for our students to learn is from our highly qualified teachers,” Superintendent Mark Stefanik said. “It is important to provide every opportunity possible for learning between now and the end of the school year by making up these days.”
The Board previously approved the use of a “Blizzard Bag” program, which was first implemented in the district last year. This “Blizzard Bag” program has been utilized this school year to allow the district to make up 3 days of the 9 already missed.
“The decisions we must make about the school calendar are extremely difficult, but we must ensure that students have an adequate amount of instructional time with our teachers,” Stefanik said. “Our responsibility is to provide the time our students need to excel in the classroom.”
More detailed information on the school calendar changes will be communicated to parents and students as soon as possible. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Stefanik at 419-468-3432 or email stefanik.mark@galionschools.org.