EVERETT — The Nov. 17 windstorm and subsequent power outages led to schools around Snohomish County cutting classes short or closing altogether.
It was a safety decision, whether it was power outages in classrooms or roads blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines. Now, some school districts that closed must add a day of classes at the end of the school year.
At least two districts, Edmonds and Stanwood-Camano, are asking the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for waivers, as they closed some, but not all, of their campuses.
The storm swept through the Pacific Northwest, leaving roughly half of Snohomish County without power. Flooding also caused problems in areas such as Stanwood, Sultan and Index.
Make-up days often are required for districts to meet the mandated 180 days per school year. In some places, make-up day policies also are governed in part by teacher contracts. No statewide tallies for school closures were available last week.
The Edmonds School District, the biggest in Snohomish County, closed four of more than 30 schools, spokeswoman Debbie Jakala said. The school board last week decided to request a waiver from the state. If approved, that means no make-up day.
The Stanwood-Camano School District closed Elger Bay Elementary on Camano Island on Nov. 18 because there was no power. Superintendent Jean Shumate sent the state her waiver request the next day.
School districts that plan to add a day in June, at the end of the school year, include Arlington, Everett, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville and Northshore, which covers the greater Bothell area.
In Arlington, school buses couldn’t pick up students Nov. 18 due to “downed electrical wires, fallen trees and flooding,” spokeswoman Andrea Conley said.
Some Everett staffers could not drive to school Nov. 18, because roads were blocked, spokeswoman Mary Waggoner said. There were similar concerns for buses, and for kids walking to school.
The Lakewood School District has two make-up days built into the year, usually for snow, spokeswoman Robin Barker said.
“No decision has been made yet on the make-up day, but our calendar committee will be meeting to review options,” she said. “Most likely the day will be made up on Feb. 12, which is one of our snow make-up days.”
In Mukilteo, “the decision is not yet final, but the most likely scenario will be to add that day to the end of the school year,” spokesman Andy Muntz said.
The Monroe district closed two schools that didn’t have power, spokeswoman Rosemary O’Neil said. The district doesn’t have to make up that time, she said. Other Monroe campuses had a two-hour late start.
The Snohomish district also opted for a late start. Sultan changed some bus routes because of flooding but had no closures, Superintendent Dan Chaplik said.
In Darrington, classes were dismissed early Nov. 17 because of a power outage and resumed the next day.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
Storm information
Those affected by the storm can report damage to Snohomish County online at snoco.org or by calling 425-388-5088.
In addition, the county Public Works Department has a voucher program for people to dispose of, for free, damaged household items and spoiled food from the storm. The program runs through April 1 and applies only to homeowners, not businesses. Identification might be required, and restrictions apply. For more information about the waste vouchers, go to www.snoco.org/solidwaste or call 425-388-3425.
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