Proposed Bill Could Shorten WI School Year

SUPERIOR - Currently, Wisconsin School districts have to meet two sets of criteria to receive state funding: the school year must have 180 days and districts must meet a specific amount of instructional minutes.

"This is really putting a tight bind on how we can operate a school year," sais superintendent of Superior Schools, Janna Stevens.

Especially for places like the Superior School District.

Superior now has to find a way to meet that 180 day requirement after already missing six days of instruction because of snow and frigid temperatures.

"Once we get these snow days it does build a certain level of stress with everyone,” said Stevens. “We know we have to do something to make up these days which is hard for planning for our staff for our families."

A recently proposed bill is making its way through the capitol which would waive the state's educational statutes.

If passed, Wisconsin schools would no longer be required to teach for 180 days.

They would just have to teach the required instructional minutes.

"So maybe districts want to have shorter days and go 190,” said Stevens. “Maybe districts want to have less days and have longer school days."

A shorter school year could also offset some costs.

"Costs with transportation could be less,” said Stevens. "Costs with keeping the full building operating with electricity and other utilities."

Stevens said she is definitely on board with the proposed bill, but it's too early to tell whether she plans on shortening or extending Superior's school year if it passes.

"We would want to make sure that we still have a quality education. That's what needs to come first,” said Stevens.

The bill is scheduled to be on the floor for action by the assembly.

Whether it would take effect this school year or next has yet to be determined.

Superior School District officials said if the bill is passed, they will send out information and post a survey online to get input from parents and students about how they should finish out the school year.