Tulsa Public Schools To Consider All Options To Make Up Snow Days

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma – The superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, Dr. Keith Ballard, said the school district is considering all options when it comes to making up snow days.

Tulsa Public Schools was closed once again Tuesday.

See a complete list of school closings

Ballard said parking lots have been cleared at all the district's schools, but due to conditions on secondary streets, classes will not resume Tuesday.  He stressed student safety as the number one priority when it comes to deciding whether or not to hold class.

"We do not believe it is in the best interest of students," he said.  "We refuse to endanger a child who is looking for some kind of a path to school."

Students have missed a total of eight days because of the weather.  The district's calendar has three snow days built-in, so students will have five days to make up.

"Let me emphasize to everyone, all options are on the table," Ballard said.  "That means that we will be looking at Spring Break, school on Saturdays."

Dr. Ballard also said extending the school day and adding on to the end of the school year are on the table.

2/6/2011 Related Story: Tulsa County Schools Struggle To Make Up Snow Days

Ballard said the district is asking for input from the public.

Another winter storm is expected Tuesday night into Wednesday and could bring four to ten inches of snow.  Ballard said he's making a decision to close school on a day-by-day basis.

2/7/2011 Related Story: Winter Storm Warning Issued For Northeastern Oklahoma

Ballard plans to ask the school board to hold classes on three days when students are scheduled to be off: February 18, 2011, which is a professional day; February 21, 2011, which is President's Day, and April 18, 2011, which is a parent teacher conference day.

Ballard says the board will probably take up the matter in a special meeting later this month.