During a recent board meeting, discussions centered on the potential return to traditional snow days for students, moving away from the current practice of flexible instruction days. The proposal comes in light of recent changes in Pennsylvania's educational laws, which now allow school districts greater flexibility regarding instructional time.

The district has been utilizing flexible instruction days, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, to ensure educational continuity during emergencies or inclement weather. However, the district has found that it exceeds the state's minimum instructional hours, prompting the suggestion to revert to conventional snow days without the requirement to make them up.

The recommendation was met with support from board members, who noted that many families prefer traditional snow days over remote learning. Concerns were raised about the accessibility of technology for all students, particularly during power outages, which have affected remote learning in the past. The board discussed the current use of internet hotspots provided to families lacking home internet access, with plans to reduce the number of available devices while ensuring support for those in need.

The district's instructional hours significantly surpass state requirements, with elementary schools needing 900 hours and high schools 990 hours annually. The district averages only two to three snow days per year, indicating that even with additional snow days, they would remain compliant with state mandates.

The board is expected to continue deliberating on this proposal, weighing the benefits of traditional snow days against the logistical considerations of maintaining educational standards and accessibility for all students.