Graveraet Elementary School is part of the Marquette Area Public Schools system. (Journal photo by Annie Lippert)

MARQUETTE — An exceptionally snowy winter has resulted in an abundance of school closures this school year, with several schools approaching or exceeding the threshold at which they may have to apply for additional snow day waivers from the state or extend the school year in June.

The state of Michigan allows 6 snow days, or days canceled due to weather, each school year before that school must make up the days. However, “you can apply for a waiver from the state for an additional three days,” said Traci Sundberg, administrative assistant to the superintendent at NICE Community Schools.

As of Wednesday, area schools stand as follows in regard to the number of days cancelled so far this semester due to weather:

Baraga Area Schools – 4 snow days

Ishpeming Public Schools – 6 snow days

Gwinn Area Community Schools – 5 snow days

L’Anse Area Schools – 3 snow days

Munising Public Schools – 8 snow days

Negaunee Public Schools – 6 snow days

NICE Community Schools – 6 snow days

Marquette Area Public Schools – 5 snow days

Powell Township Schools – 7 snow days

Republic-Michigamme Schools – 3 snow days

Superior Central School District – 6 snow days

Powell Townships Schools is one of the area districts which have exceeded their six-day limit.

“We’ve used the 6 built-in days and will be applying for the waiver,” said Superintendent Todd Boynton.

Dr. Sara Croney, Superintendent of Gwinn Area Schools, says that her district has had five snow days in the past three weeks.

“It’s extremely unusual,” said Croney. “This is my 28th year as a superintendent, and I have never seen anything like this before.”

Other school district representatives say that these numbers are more typical.

According to Bill Valima, Superintendent of Superior Central Schools, high numbers of weather cancellations this early in the school year is hardly unheard of.

“It’s the U.P. in the winter,” said Valima. “You can’t predict lake effect snow. We’ve had a couple of mild winters, but now we’re back to normal.”

“It happens every so many years where we have so many snow days early in the season,” said Ishpeming Public Schools Superintendent Carrie Meyer. “Over the course of my career, I’d say maybe once every 5 or 6 years we’ll get this many so early.”

With plenty of winter to come, staff, students and parents alike will surely be watching these numbers.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.