Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is requesting a waiver from the state-mandated 180-day school year, after snow and ice caused four days of school closures in January and February, the district posted Wednesday on social media.
According to Maryland law, school districts can apply to the Maryland State Department of Education for a waiver from the 180-day requirement if normal school attendance is prevented because of natural disaster, civil disaster or severe weather. In order to obtain the waiver, however, school systems must show that they made an effort to provide instruction through calendar modifications, according to Maryland regulations.
After the first snowstorm of 2025 brought 6 to 8 inches to the county, MCPS closed school for three days from Jan. 6 to 8.
According to the 2024-2025 school calendar, the district set aside two inclement weather days, both of which were used. With the third snow day, the district had to choose one of the following days to use as a make-up day — Jan. 29, March 31, June 6, June 16-18, June 20 and June 23. The last day of school for students was scheduled as an early release day June 13.
In a Jan. 24 announcement, the district extended the school year by one day. The make-up day will be June 16, and it will be an early release day. June 13 will be a full instructional day.
Two weeks later, MCPS closed school Feb. 12, in anticipation of another winter storm that brought 3 to 6 inches to the area.
In the Jan. 24 announcement, the district said if there were any more closures MCPS would need to consider further calendar adjustments or could request a waiver from the state education department.
In the Wednesday social media post, MCPS said an update on the 2024-2025 calendar will be shared in the coming weeks.
