One day of school has been blown away for local students, and will not have to be made up. The McDuffie County Board of Education voted during a March 26 meeting that students do not have to make up the Friday that schools were closed after a tornado swept through the county.
"Several years ago, the general assembly allowed school systems whose calendars end on a Friday up to four weather-related absences without making it up," School Superintendent Mark Petersen said. "So that was weather-related for us."
The EF-2 tornado touched down on Thursday night, March 1, and left a 10-mile path of felled trees, downed power lines and destroyed homes. No one was injured, but schools were closed the next day.
Dr. Petersen said students do not have to make up the day, but contracted employees will because they get paid on a 190-day contract.
However, they will make up the hours by keeping track of their time "above and beyond the regular school day." He said that some schools were without power the day after the tornado, so there was no need to have the staff come in. Some schools that did have power had their staff come in and work that day. So, not all employees have time to make up.
"The principals will keep up with that, so if we are asked, we will be able to provide that documentation," Dr. Petersen said.
