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Grand Rapids Public Schools preparing to extend school year due to snow days

GRPS said that they will continue to monitor the legislation and let parents and staff know if anything changes.

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Grand Rapids Public Schools is laying the groundwork just in case their extra snow days are not forgiven by the Michigan legislation.

On Friday, the district announced that they are planning on extending the school year by two days while they wait to find out if their extra snow days will be forgiven. 

The school year was scheduled to end on Friday, May 31, but the district is now planning on extending the year to Monday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 4. Those last three days would be half days. 

Winter hit West Michigan schools hard this year, from heavy snowfall to record cold temperatures to statewide and local emergency declarations. GRPS had 11 snow days, and state law allots them six snow days a year. 

The district received a waiver from the state superintendent for three additional days, giving them nine total forgiven. 

"While GRPS and other school districts across Michigan are appealing for legislative action to forgive the canceled days that were associated with declared states of emergency, we are not confident that this legislation will be passed and signed by the governor in time," superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal said in a letter to parents. 

"The legislation recently passed out of the state House committee and is awaiting action on the House floor. However, it would still need approval by the state Senate and the governor," the letter continues. 

GRPS said that they will continue to monitor the legislation and let parents and staff know if anything changes.

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