Drake Elementary Won't have to Make Up Calamity Days

It looks like students at Drake Elementary School will be able to start summer break with the rest of the district. 

State officials are poised to restore the number of calamity days to five, which means pupils at Drake will not have to attend classes for two days after the school year ends.

"(The change in state law) would put Drake whole and the rest of the district one day to the good," Superintendent Jeff Lampert said.

Former Gov. Ted Strickland cut the number of calamity days to three this school year, which were quickly used up by districts throughout the state because of harsh winter weather.

State legislators have voted to add two more calamity days this school year. Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign the bill.

"Living in Northeast Ohio, with the challenges the weather brings, I'd say they're headed in the right direction," Lampert said.

Strongsville schools were actually closed four days this winter because of bad weather, but the district had included one extra day in the school calendar this year, meaning students attended classes the required number of days and would not have to make any up in the summer.

The only exception was , which was closed twice when other schools were not -- once in the fall for electrical problems and at the end of February, when flood waters lapped at the school's door.

Drake students were scheduled to have school on Friday, June 10 and Monday, June 13, but now will not have to. Last of of school for the district in June 9.