MLSD adds 4 days to school year

MOSES LAKE — Winter may not be over yet, but the Moses Lake School District has a plan to deal with all the days students have missed so far.

“We’re adding four days to the school year,” Superintendent Michelle Price told the school board Thursday night. “The last day of school will be Thursday, June 15.”

Because of the weather, Moses Lake schools have been closed for eight days and have started late four more days, Price said.

However, Price said a pair of emergency declarations issued by Gov. Jay Inslee in January will allow the district to seek a waiver for all days missed when the disaster declarations were in place.

“We have to make a reasonable effort to attend school through June 14, and have 1,027 hours of instruction for the district,” she said.

Because of the snow, ice, and cold, Inslee declared a state of emergency in Grant County from Jan. 10 through Jan 18, which covers four of days the schools were closed. Inslee also issued an emergency declaration on Jan. 19, still in effect, which covers an additional two missed days.

Extending the school year to June 15 allows the Moses Lake School District to meet state requirements. But just barely.

“It puts us within requirements, but there’s not a lot of flexibility beyond that. If we have any other closures or late starts, we’ll have to make an adjustment,” she said.

Shifting the last day of school to Thursday, June 15, will not change the scheduled high school graduation date of June 3.

“Seniors are allowed five days out of school before their peers, and the governor has waived five more, so we’re within what the law allows,” she said.

Of course, it is possible more awful weather will blow through Grant County and force more late starts or school closures.

“Winter is not over yet, so let’s have lots and lots of prayers we don’t have any more late starts or closures,” Price said. “It is possible to add on.”

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.