Union Approves Plan To Make Up Snow Days, Cancels Class For Rally

The Union Board of Education decided unanimously to add 30 minutes to the end of each school day to make up the extra snow days it used this winter.

The new schedule begins March 24 and allows students to be out of class by May 30.

Union Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler said, "From what we've heard from parents and students, slightly longer school days for the remainder of the school year are preferable to adding days in June to make up days lost during all the inclement weather we have experienced this winter."

According to a news release, the Board also plans to cancel class on March 31 so the district can participate in a state-wide education rally at the State Capital.

Board members believe the rally is important and years of funding cuts to education have caused class size to increase, made it nearly impossible to recruit and retain quality teachers, and have crippled programs proven to help students succeed, according to the release.

"Oklahoma continues to be last in the region in per-pupil funding and teacher pay. We are in a funding crisis. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Oklahoma districts have experienced the most sever state funding cuts in the nation," Hartzler said.