WASHINGTON — The very first Monday after Montgomery County Public Schools filed for a waiver with the Maryland State Board of Education to cover some of the nine snow days it has already experienced, the school system was hit with a St. Patrick’s Day snow storm that closed the schools yet again.
Montgomery County School Superintendent Joshua Starr says as of now, school days will be added on to the end of the school year to make up for the snow days. Starr discussed the latest closings during Monday’s announcement about the county’s $4.97 billion operating budget.
Starr emphasized the school system’s plans could change depending on what the Board of Education decides.
“It’s all so tentative right now; until we have the waiver, I just want people to understand that,” he said.
The school system built in four extra days to deal with cancellations due to weather-related closures. Without the waiver, schools would remain open until June 19, and that does not include the St. Patrick’s Day cancellation.
“We’ve got to go take a look at our calendar, hope we get the waiver, and take it from there,” said Starr.
Starr said it was not yet clear when the system would get word from the state and the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery.
“I think the state superintendent understands the need to turn it around as quickly as possible,” Starr said.
WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow @kateryanWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.
