Death of the snow day? NJ lawmakers consider letting schools go remote for bad weather

A childhood rite of passage may soon become a thing of the past as lawmakers consider giving school districts the option to switch to remote learning instead of taking a traditional snow day.

The bill, known as S464 while it's being considered, would allow public schools or approved private schools for students with disabilities to count remote instruction days called due to inclement weather, hazardous transportation conditions or another emergency that closes the school building toward the 180-day school year requirement.

Currently, schools can count remote learning days toward the requirement only if they are closed for three or more days because of a state of emergency, a public health emergency, or a directive by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public-health-related closure.

Legislators advanced the bill out of the Senate Education Committee last week, but it will still need to pass the full Senate and Assembly before making its way to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk to be signed into law.

Read more: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/education/2022/02/10/nj-school-snow-days-remote-learning-days-bill/6708534001/