Robertson County board OKs waiver request and converts March 2 to instructional day after heavy snow closures

The Robertson County school board voted unanimously to authorize the superintendent to submit a waiver to the State Department of Education for missed inclement-weather ("stockpile") days and to change March 2 from a scheduled professional development day to an instructional day.

Director of schools (name not provided in the transcript) told the board the district normally banks about 10 stockpile days by extending instructional time by 30 minutes but has used a total of 12 such days this winter. To strengthen a waiver request the director said staff will compile documentation — including photos and video of weather conditions and the governor-declared emergency coordinated via FEMA — and the board will request the state not require make-up days if the waiver is granted.

The director proposed the single action: change March 2 to an instructional day and approve submitting the waiver. Mr. Jeff White moved the motion and Mr. Scott Rice seconded it. The board voted aye and the motion passed 6-0.

Board members also discussed the district's frequent use of schools as polling sites for elections and asked staff for a list of schools used by the election commission; members raised scheduling concerns when multiple election dates fall on school days.

The superintendent said staff will pursue the waiver packet and submit the documentation requested by the state. The board did not set a public hearing on the waiver; the vote authorized staff to file the request and adjust the calendar as described.