Montgomery County Schools Seek Snow Days Waiver

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Montgomery County Public Schools have applied for a state waiver to avoid having to extend the school year by a full week due to this year's snow days.

Superintendent Joshua Starr appealed Thursday to the state superintendent of schools for permission to cut this school year four days short. The state requires 180 days of instruction.

Instead, Montgomery County schools would add just one day to the school year. Starr says the school system would still meet the number of instructional hours required by the state.

Montgomery County schools scheduled 184 days of instruction, including four days for possible cancellations due to weather. But there have been nine days canceled this year due to snow and ice.

Without a waiver, the school year will have to extend to June 19.