North Michigan News

State Rep. Cam Cavitt put forward a proposal aimed at preventing Northern Michigan schools from having to extend their academic calendar into July after closures due to a recent ice storm. Many schools in the region had to close for several weeks due to blocked roads and power outages caused by the storm in late March.

“Our students just went through one of the most horrifying storms they will ever experience,” stated Cavitt, who represents Cheboygan. “They lost power, connection to the outside world, access to groceries, and many other necessities that no one ever thought could just disappear for weeks on end. Things have been hard. We need to take steps to help these kids and their families, not force them to sit in schools that lack air conditioning until July.”

Cavitt's plan, known as House Bill 4345, pertains specifically to the 2024-2025 school year. It proposes to waive the minimum number of school hours and days required for districts in counties under a state of emergency declared by the governor. Affected counties include Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle.

Katy Xenakis-Makowski, Superintendent of the Johannesburg-Lewiston School District and President of the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, emphasized the storm's severe impact on her community.

“Montmorency County has the highest child poverty rate in the state of Michigan, and they were the last to get power restored,” Xenakis-Makowski noted. “We had over 190 inches of snow this year. We’ve got days of school to make up already. Adding additional days after assessments, after Memorial Day, going past Father’s Day and towards the Fourth of July will not help instruction. We need to be focused on the basic needs of our community and helping build our kids back up.”

The proposed bill is presently under review by the House Education Committee.