Cabell County Schools outlines proposed makeup days after winter closures; waiver possible for some dates

District staff informed the board that Cabell County Schools has used all five nontraditional instructional days and six code red/blue closure days this winter, and that five instructional days must be rescheduled unless a state waiver is granted.

Staff listed proposed changes to the 2024–25 calendar (subject to change and pending any additional closures and any state waiver): May 27 (originally a teacher prep day) would become an instructional day; May 28, May 29 and May 30 would be instructional days; June 2 would be instructional; and June 3 would revert to a teacher prep day. The district said these changes assume no further weather disruptions.

Waiver possibility and staff impact

The presenter said the state Department of Education portal for emergency‑declaration waivers had not yet opened. The district may seek a waiver for up to three student days because three closures occurred during a state of emergency declared by the governor (Jan. 6, Feb. 6 and Feb. 17). Even if the waiver is granted for student days, staff still must meet the 200‑day employment requirement, meaning staff last work day could remain June 3 even when students are released earlier.

Why it matters: Calendar changes affect families, childcare planning and transportation; staff schedules and contract days are subject to state requirements and collective bargaining considerations.

Next steps

District staff said a news release would be issued at 6:00 p.m. and that the board will be asked to modify the calendar at an upcoming meeting if the waiver does not resolve the makeup days.