The snow piper must be paid

Students might want to think twice before celebrating another snow day. Days that are missed must be made up eventually.

In Des Moines, schools now have to make up six school days. The current plan - dismissing school on June 15 for elementary and middle school students, and June 16 for high schoolers - is proving unpopular with the public, prompting administrators to consider Saturday classes.

State law requires students be in school 180 days.

In Eastern Iowa:

• Cedar Rapids - Public schools have four snow days to make up. Students will make up those dates by attending classes March 4, June 7, June 8 and June 9. District spokeswoman Marcia Hughes said makeup dates will be scheduled through June 11 if more closings are necessary.

• Iowa City - The district had snow days on Dec. 9 and 10 and Jan. 20. School will be in session March 1, June 4 and June 7. The last day of school originally was set for June 3, a Thursday.

• College Community - The district, which encompasses southern Linn and northern Johnson counties, has a large rural area to cover with school buses. It's had five snow days this year. But Superintendent Dick Whitehead said spring break won't be shortened to make up those days.

“I've learned that even if you tell people spring break could be used as snow makeup dates, they'll gamble and make vacation plans,” Whitehead said.

The makeup dates, to date, are Feb. 26, April 5, June 3, June 4 and June 7.

If the district has more snow days, they will follow June 7. This will shorten summer school, which will still end July 2 regardless of its start date.

• Linn-Mar - Will make up its four snow days on March 12, April 2, April 5 and June 1.

• Marion - Will make up two snow days June 3 and June 4.

• Clear Creek Amana - Has already made up three of four snow days. The fourth day will be made up in April.