Overton Co. Schools Make Up Days Waived By State

School will end on time in Overton County this year.

The school system went over its allotted 13 weather days by two and anticipated an extended school year. But, Interim Director of Schools Donnie Holman said the state department of education accepted a waiver to forgive the missed instruction.

“The commissioner of education granted Overton County that waiver, which means that we will be able to end our school year as we planned,” Holman said. “That doesn’t happen very often, but this year with so many things working against us, they granted us the waiver.”

Holman said February’s ice storm and March’s flooding event both played large factors in the request. Holman said any future cancellations would not fall under the waiver.

“All that I really asked for was just the days that we were over,” Holman said. “I am in hopes that we won’t have anymore bad luck, so to speak. So hopefully, we will be able to follow the calendar as we have it planned.”

Holman said he decided to apply for the waiver after speaking with other local school directors. Holman said as a new interim, he is thankful for other districts working with him on things like this.

“I spoke with other superintendents in the area and they had mentioned they were going to do that,” Holman said. “So, I looked into it myself and thought that is exactly what we need to do, as well.”

The two additional days would have likely landed on May 27th and May 28th. Holman said he is glad parents and faculty no longer have to make adjustments to their summer plans.