Haywood board waives Jan. 26 missed day, grants superintendent flexibility on inclement‑weather days

Haywood County Schools' board voted to waive Monday, Jan. 26 as a missed instructional day after widespread weather‑related closures and power outages in nine schools, and it gave the superintendent authority to waive up to five additional instructional days this school year if inclement weather requires it.

District staff explained the change during the meeting and said the district has already used seven remote‑learning optional workdays and, with the current waiver, can use up to 15 remote days without extending the school year. "The 5 remote learning days count toward instructional time. They do not need to be made up by students or staff," staff stated during discussion.

Board members moved, seconded and approved the waiver and the superintendent’s flexibility by voice vote; the meeting record shows the motions carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The decision affects the district calendar for students and staff. Waiving missed days and counting remote learning days toward instructional time can prevent extending the school year into late May or June but also changes how families plan for make‑up instruction.

Background and procedure: District staff noted that remote‑learning optional workdays are reserved for inclement weather and that the waiver gives the superintendent discretion to avoid additional in‑person makeup days. The motion included moving the last student day to May 29 for Haywood County Schools (May 22 for Haywood Early College) after the waiver.

Next steps: Staff will implement the waiver allowances as needed; the board did not record additional specific conditions or a later formal vote to modify the calendar.