Harford County schools propose cutting embedded inclement-weather days in calendar policy
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Summary
Harford County Public Schools staff presented a draft policy change July 21 that would reduce embedded inclement-weather days from six to three and allow a supermajority vote to change an approved calendar under 'extenuating circumstances'; the proposal will go out for 30 days of public comment.
Harford County Public Schools presented a proposed revision to Board Policy 02/2002 on July 21 that would reduce the number of embedded inclement-weather days in the school calendar from six to three and add language allowing the board, by supermajority, to change an approved calendar in extenuating circumstances.
Katie Ridgeway, HCPS chief of staff, said the recommendation aligns the district more closely with common practice in other Maryland districts and would give the board greater flexibility to use synchronous or asynchronous instructional days without exhausting embedded make-up days. Ridgeway said the draft policy will be posted for 30 days of public comment; no final vote was taken.
Ridgeway and board members discussed safeguards. The proposal would keep a supermajority requirement for post-approval calendar changes tied to extenuating circumstances such as state policy changes, elections or emergencies. The board president and members signaled support for the process of public comment and asked staff to return with any adjustments after the comment period.
The policy change is procedural and would require further public input and a formal vote after the 30-day comment period.
