Assembly Removes 180- Day School Requirement
By Patrick Lynn
Public schools throughout Wisconsin would no longer be held to a 180- day calendar, under a new bill passed by the Assembly Wednesday.
A minimum number of hours would still be required for students depending on grade level, giving districts the potential for longer school days and shorter school calendars.
The bill, which now moves on for Governor Scott Walker’s signature, would also would provide some state aid for interim sessions during breaks as well as online summer courses in year- round school districts.
Though district typically request waivers each year from the standard due to weather- related closings, State Superintendent Tony Evers has asked the 180- day requirement be lifted after unusually bad weather this winter forced schools to close with greater frequency than previous years. Stevens Point area schools were closed four days in January and February.