Area schools face snow-day dilemma

OXFORD, Ind. (WLFI) - Several schools in the NewsChannel 18 viewing area did not have class on Tuesday because of Mother Nature.

The snow plows were out on the roads and sidewalks around the Benton Community School Corporation. But like several other schools in the area, doors were locked and halls were empty after mother packed a punch in this latest round of winter weather.

The decision to call off classes was a no-brainer for Superintendent Destin Haas.

"We are over 500 square miles big so you can imagine we have a lot of people that come in here that we have to worry about and make sure we are concerned with the safety of our students and our staff," said Haas.

Haas said safety is the number one concern no doubt, but there is also a financial element to it too.

If a corporation elects to have school but dismiss early, the hourly staff still gets paid, but the school day might not count toward the yearly total if enough time is not spent in the classroom. It was a modification made by incoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett.

"He just interpreted a rule differently,” said Haas. “I do not think there was a rule change as much as it was an interpretation of it. 180 days is 180 days."

Haas said to save money, he will sometimes send hourly employees home and do their work. He said sometimes that work includes shoveling sidewalks.