Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Instructional Hours topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent and staff say winter breaks, 68 lost hours and virtual days keep county above Virginia's required instructional hours
Summary
Administrators reported the district lost 68 instructional hours to winter weather but has used four of up to 10 allowed unscheduled remote-learning days and remains compliant with Virginia's 990-hour requirement; officials said they will improve virtual-day instruction quality.
Montgomery County Public Schools administrators told the board that despite losing a large block of instructional time to winter weather, the division remains above the state minimum instructional hours and plans to strengthen virtual-day practices.
Interim Assistant Superintendent Amanda Weidner told the board that the division began the year with 1,078.5 hours built into the calendar and has lost 68 instructional hours (10 full days plus four two‑hour delays) due to inclement weather. She said the district has used four of Virginia’s allowed 10 unscheduled remote‑learning days and reported "we are now at 1,010.5 instructional hours remaining in our calendar," noting the system is in compliance with the Code of Virginia’s 990‑hour requirement.
Weidner described the operational requirements for virtual days: attendance must be taken (the division uses a Google form and allows phone check-in), meals must be provided or made available for pickup, and accommodations must be offered to students who need them. She said virtual days do not require synchronous instruction but that schools have discretion to use remote days for new material when appropriate, especially in high‑school courses.
Board members expressed concern about the instructional quality on virtual days. "If we're counting them as instructional days, I feel like we're shortchanging our kids," said board member Miss Martin, urging the administration to ensure virtual days provide substantive learning and not just check‑ins. Superintendent Dr. Kelly Gimple and staff agreed to refine expectations and prepare stronger remote‑learning plans should additional weather cause more closures.
The administration also suggested longer school days as a longer‑term strategy to recover lost instructional time without extending the school year into June.
What’s next: Staff will continue to support principals in designing higher‑quality virtual days, ensure meal and accommodation procedures, and report back on adjustments before using additional unscheduled remote‑learning days.
