SULLIVAN COUNTY — The recent winter storms have put a real strain on school districts with so many snow days being used in the last few weeks. The storms have caused major power outages throughout Sullivan County, preventing schools from opening even after the roads had been cleared.

With more snow potentially on the horizon, the schools are getting creative in order to reach the 180 school days that are required by law.

Here's how the school districts are coping with the influx of snow this school season.

Fallsburg

“The district has run out of the nine snow days that were allotted in the 2017-18 approved school calendar,” said Superintendent R. Ivan Katz. If Fallsburg closes again due to weather or inclement emergency, the spring recess will be shortened.

“If we lose one more day, school will be in session on March 26, if we lose a second day, school will be in session on March 27, if we lose a third day, school will be in session on March 28, if we lose a fourth day, school will be in session on March 29.”

Liberty

Liberty has used all of their 10 snow days. Now if school closes again, the spring recess will be used for make up days missed.

School was in session on March 9, and is expected to be in session on March 26, March 27 and April 2. According to District Clerk Tania DeFrank, “If there are any further snow days used prior to March 27 then March 28 will be a student day, followed by March 29 if needed.”

Livingston Manor and Roscoe

With eight emergency days built in, 10 were used at Manor and Roscoe used nine.

Now the districts have to make up days. Livingston Manor will now be in session on March 26, May 25 and April 2. Roscoe will be in session May 25 and April 2.

“We have to take into consideration in the spring that there might be flooding with all the snow,” said John Evans, Shared Superintendent of Schools at the Downsville, Livingston Manor and Roscoe Central School Districts.

Sullivan West

The last day of spring break will be a school day, April 2. The district has already used 11 snow days, exceeding the nine days built into their school year.

“Our biggest concern, that we get enough instructional days that they are ready for their final exams and ap exams,” said Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hackett. “We are meeting with the teachers to see if anything is needed and to see how the students are doing.”

Monticello

“We have exceeded our snow days by two,” said Superintendent Tammy Mangus. “We have emergency projects that needed to be done in the school that have been planned into the school break. Monticello could be either adding the school days into spring break or adding additional days to the end of the school year.”

The two projects that need to be done during the recess break include replacing of a NYSEG transformer that is located at the school. Another is in response to the flooding that happened in the gym and the time is needed to conduct air quality test.

Tri-Valley

The district has used all nine of their available emergency closing days. School will now have to be made up during the spring break. Classes will now be in session on March 26, March 27, and April 2.

According to Interim Superintendent, Ronald Musson, “Because of the impact of school closings on the number of days in the third quarter marking period, the end of the third quarter marking period is being extended from March 23 to April 6.

Eldred

In a letter to students and parents, Eldred Superintendent Dr. John Morgano stated, “These are difficult times for the Eldred School community. Many in our community have no power and no heat. Our schools are without power thus we cannot open... We are out of snow days and we will begin using spring break days as days of school, as indicated. Monday, April 2nd will be a day of school. If we are closed on Tuesday, we will be in school on March 26 then March 27, 28 and Thursday March 29.”

According to Morgano, students must have at least 180 class days in an academic year. Any less than that costs the district $20,000 a day in state aid. “I have asked the State Education Department to forgive us these days but the preliminary response was that we should use our vacation days first.”