LITTLE ROCK, Ark — It was another day of school closings and delays as Arkansans wait patiently for winter weather to move out of the state.
Now, some districts have been looking at how to make up the last six days that were missed because of ongoing confusion surrounding AMI days.
The state said they never cut alternative methods of instruction, but some school districts weren't prepared under the new LEARNS law.
We have received questions all week long from parents and teachers wondering how they will make up these snow days under the law.
The assumption was that AMI days were no longer an option, but in an opinion from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin— the AMI days were always available.
According to the AG's office, school districts that had an approved alternate instruction plan could use up to 10 days when the district closed during emergency circumstances. However, the district must be open for 178 days during the school year to receive funding from the LEARNS Act.
Now, the confusion lies with the interpretation of "student attendance days."
Some could argue these AMI days could be considered a school day, but others could argue otherwise.
The Attorney General explained how it needs clarification from legislators.
Representative Julie Mayberry, (R-Hensley) who introduced blocked legislation last year to clarify these issues said she saw this being a problem when LEARNS was introduced.
"I think we absolutely need to be having the discussion now so we can clarify this in 2025, and come up with something that can give our school districts some flexibility. That prioritizes in-person instruction because that is the best way for our students to be learning, but allows for some other options in these extreme situations," she added.
Right now, school districts who do not have approved alternative instruction days have two options: they can add minutes to each school day to make up the time or they can add days to the end of the year.
On Monday, Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva sent out a memo to Arkansas superintendents addressing the confusion.
He said districts can adjust their calendar to make up for these lost days by requesting any necessary waivers.