Gov. Whitmer signs bill forgiving up to 4 snow day make-ups

NOVI, Mich (FOX 2) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs legislation to forgive Michigan schools from rescheduling up to four snow days that occurred during an artic deep freeze.

“In my first month as governor we encountered a polar vortex, a couple bomb cyclones still not quite what those are but we had some extreme weather,” Whitmer said.

It was so extremely cold that Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency for the state of Michigan.

School was cancelled, causing snow days to pile up. Some feared students would have to make up some of the days at the end of the school year. 

But now some relief in the form of a bill. 

It will forgive four additional snow days that occurred during the state of emergency this past January.

The law will let schools not count the Jan. 29-Feb. 1 period toward a cap on snow days.

Previously under Michigan law public schools were allowed a total of six snow days. 

Governor Whitmer was in Novi for a speaking engagement on Friday.

“My team said we got to get this bill signed, I said I’m not in Lansing today so they brought desk and bill here and I’m going to sign it with all of you,” she said. 

And with a few flourishes of her pen, House Bill 4206 became law. 

While some criticized districts calling snow days so frequently this past winter, Whitmer says the student’s safety is the most important thing. 

“It’s the right thing to do, I think when weather is extreme and dangerous we have to be mindful and take action and be nimble and that’s what this is all about, giving districts the ability to do that,” she said.