State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Issues Reminder on School Safety and School Closures
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen is offering a reminder to Montana school districts about school closures during unforeseen emergencies. According to § 20-9-802, MCA, "unforeseen emergency" means a fire, flood, explosion, storm, earthquake, riot, insurrection, community disaster, or act of God or a combination of the foregoing that acts as a principal cause for a school district's inability to conduct a portion of the minimum aggregate hours of instruction required by 20-1-301. During these coldest days, student safety must remain a top priority before, during, and after school. Locally elected school boards determine school closures as there is not a state-wide mandate. The Office of Public Instruction offers guidance on how schools are permitted to make up these emergency days.
“The safety and well-being of all of our Montana students is always a top priority,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “I’m appreciative that our local trustees recognize the harsh conditions reflected upon our Montana schools and families. May you all stay safe and warm during this time.”
In 2021, SB 75 revised laws on school closures during unforeseen emergencies. Currently schools:
- Are permitted to use instructional time on Saturdays when necessary to make up aggregate hours of instructional time, according to 20-1-303, MCA
- Are given reasonable effort when making up instructional time when due to the declaration of an unforeseen emergency to include the following making up of instructional time to be at least 75% of the time through any combination of the following:
- Extending the school year by extension of days or use of scheduled vacation days.
- Conducting pupil instruction on Saturdays.
- Extending the instructional hours during the school day, according to 20-9-802, MCA
- are allowed to make up, at least, 75% of the time missed when an emergency is declared for unforeseen emergencies and that a 1-school-day closure is not subject to a reduction in BASE aid, according to 20-9-806, MCA
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