HCS, MCS to use inclement weather day in April

Hartselle City and Morgan County schools are considering their options for making up missed days due to snow and ice over the last two weeks of February.

Since the Presidents Day holiday, both school systems have had only one normal school day – Tues., Feb. 24. There was no school on four days and delays on the other four days.

Of the four missed days, the schools would not have to make up Wednesday because a state of emergency was issued by Gov. Robert Bentley. Both school systems have inclement weather days scheduled in April that will be utilized – April 3 for Morgan County and April 17 for Hartselle City Schools.

Plans for making up the other two days are still being considered.

“I know for sure that we will have school on April 17,” said Hartselle School Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson. “Everyone will need to make plans to attend school that day. We won’t have to make up Wednesday because of the state of emergency, but we possibly have to make up Thursday and Friday.”

Wilson and Morgan County School Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr. said the North Alabama school districts might petition to be released from making up Thursday since snow-covered roads made travel impossible. A statewide school superintendents’ conference will be held next week in Montgomery, which coincides with the beginning of the new legislative session.

However, both said they are not sure if they will need to make up any additional days.

“We will look closely at the number of hours that we have and see if we have enough that we don’t have to make up any additional days,” Hopkins said. “If we don’t, we may have to ask to be released from that requirement.”

Wilson and Hopkins both said they hope all of the school closings are behind them now.

“I can tell you, I’m ready for spring,” said Wilson. “I hope that we won’t have any issues the rest of the spring. I know we could possibly have storm weather, but I hope that we won’t have to miss any more school time.”

Hopkins said it’s been frustrating to have missed so much school time.

“I know this is kind of selfish, but I just hate for my son, who is a senior playing baseball at Priceville,” Hopkins said. “He’s already missed so many games, and they likely won’t be made up because the baseball season is so short.”