Harrisonville R‑IX administrators told the board the district has used its six allowable AMI hours and has had two snow days, and that the district was beginning a third snow day when the meeting took place.

The superintendent explained the state provides districts 36 hours of AMI (alternate methods of instruction) that can be counted as forgiven instructional time. “We have done 6 AMI days,” the superintendent said, and later summarized that the district had “had 2 snow days. And then we are now starting our third snow day.”

Policy and contract discussion

District legal counsel (Joe) presented proposed contract wording intended to clarify the teacher obligation when the board alters the calendar for weather‑related closures. Counsel summarized the suggested language as making staff responsible to “work the days, designated by the school calendar and as otherwise assigned by administration,” and explained that the calendar wording and contract language would need to be aligned. Counsel said the change would allow the calendar — as approved by the board — to define staff work days rather than requiring a separate forgiveness action for each affected staff day.

Why it matters: the board must balance instructional time, state reporting rules and staff contract obligations when making snow‑day and AMI decisions. Administrators said they will continue to use AMI hours before declaring make‑up student days, and legal counsel said a contract amendment would be presented as a first read with a target approval in March so it can align with teacher contracts.

Details and context

Administrators described how districts interpret the state’s 36 hours differently and said the district’s approach has been to treat the AMI allowance as six six‑hour days. The superintendent noted the district’s calendar contains built‑in hours intended to reduce the need for student makeup days but said that if the district used many additional snow days beyond the built‑in hours the state may forgive some excess time.

Administrators also described practical safety and operational factors that weigh on the decision to hold school or release early, including very low overnight temperatures and driver availability. The superintendent said district leaders monitor neighboring districts and maintain communications with area superintendents and that those factors influence timing of decisions.

Next steps

Legal counsel said the proposed contract wording would be a first read and that the administration would bring it back in March, timed to match the board’s contract action on teacher agreements. Administrators said they will continue to prioritize AMI usage before calling make‑up student days and will track staff work during weather closures.

Quotes

“We have done 6 AMI days,” — Superintendent.

“The teacher is required to work the days, designated by the school calendar and as otherwise assigned by administration,” — Legal counsel (Joe).