APS Board Forgives Four Snow Days for Teachers

After discussion about what making up snow days for teachers would look like, the Alliance School Board voted to forgive a handful of days for the teaching staff, only requiring them to make up two additional days for training purposes.

Superintendent Dr. Troy Unzicker explained that the district used a total of six snow days so far this year, below the requirement for students to make up days, though it would be up to the board to decide the schedule for teaching staff.

“With no more snow days, there’s not going to be a recommendation to make up any student days,” said Unzicker. “There have been six snow days, probably one of the fewest in the region. I felt we’ve done a good job of not putting kids in danger.”

Unzicker said that when he first came to the Alliance School District, snow days were always made up by teachers because they were under contract. He explained that in recent years, the board has forgiven two snow days per year as classified staff receive two paid snow days as part of their work agreement.

“With six, basically you can have teachers make up however many you days want,” Unzicker said. “You can excuse all six of them; you can make them work all six of them and anywhere in between. We have started planning professional development for days, assuming you will have us make some of them up. I would say we have two pretty solid days.”

Unzicker said Thursday, May 25 is the scheduled last work day, and recommended making up days on Friday, May 26, and after Memorial Day.

Board members discussed the options before them, noting that having teachers make up six days would come close to the start of summer school. Board President Tim Kollars said that for the past three years the board has forgiven two snow days for teachers.

“I’ve sat in way too many teacher negotiations to give them five days, I’ll tell you that right now,” said Kollars.

Unzicker explained that the schedule for Friday, May 26 would be professional development training for PBIS, focusing on restorative practices, and that on Tuesday, May 30, the district would host CPR training. He noted that more development days could be planned if the board requires teachers to make up more days.

Following a discussion about CPR training, Board Member Jake Sylvester made a motion to give teachers credit for four days, requiring them to make up two days, and Board Member Shana Brown seconded the motion. Board Members Brown, Sylvester, Tim Richey and Dave Rischling voted in favor of the motion and Kollars voted against it. Board Member Edison Red Nest III was not in attendance at the meeting.