LANSING, MI (WTVB) – Michigan’s Superintendent of Schools called Tuesday for the state legislature to extend the waiver for enrollment and attendance requirements as districts get set to begin the 2020-2021 school year..
Superintendent Michael Rice said during a virtual meeting of the State Board of Education that traditional methods of logging days, hours, enrollment, and attendance have to change this school year.
Executive orders signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the spring that waive the state’s minimum requirement for instructional hours and a 75% minimum daily attendance law serve are set to expire September 30.
Rice has no authority under state law to waive those requirements on his own. He said his ability to waive daily and hourly instruction rules are “imperfect” and would come with “substantial limitations.”
Even so, Rice said he’s “prepared to use my limited authority” if all other efforts are exhausted without a resolution.
Rice in July sent a letter to lawmakers outlining his recommendations and said Tuesday that the issue remains under debate in Lansing.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey has said he believes the requirements need to be revised.
