Kasich OKs 4 extra calamity days for Ohio schools

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio schools will receive four extra calamity days this year under a bill signed today by Gov. John Kasich under the watchful eye of a group of fifth-grade students.

Kasich invited the students to the Statehouse for the signing after he received letters in support of the measure from some of the students at Stingel Elementary School in north-central Ohio. The Ontario school has used 10 calamity days this year.

Snow, ice and harsh temperatures caused many districts across Ohio to exhaust the school year’s five allowable calamity days — most commonly called “snow days,” in which schools can close without making up the lost instructional time.

Many schools canceled classes for nine or more days this year.