‘Insurance policy’: MCPS may offer virtual learning on snow days 

School board approves plan for extended closures

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March 31, 2026 11:24 a.m.

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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) can prepare to offer virtual learning during extended weather closures following the school board’s Thursday approval of an online instruction plan.  

“This plan is not about replacing snow days, nor is it a plan about replacing instruction like we did during the pandemic,” MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor told the board during the Thursday meeting in Rockville. “Rather, it serves as a thoughtful, structured insurance policy for when disruptions extend beyond just a few calendar days or one or two days.” 

According to a MCPS staff presentation to the board, the Maryland State Department of Education issued a mandate for all school systems to develop virtual learning plans for extended inclement weather.  

Virtual learning can only be utilized if all designated make-up days are used and a minimum of four hours of synchronous learning is provided, according to the state requirements. Also, students must continue to receive services such as special education and a plan for the online learning must be approved by the school board, among other requirements.  

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According to MCPS staff, the virtual learning schedule for students would include periods for asynchronous instruction, such as working on their own, and synchronous instruction, including working live with a teacher.  

Taylor said the district was not interested in returning to a one-to-one model for Chromebooks, meaning each student is provided with a computer. Instead, Chromebooks will be distributed for virtual learning days for middle and elementary school students. High school students already receive computers, according to the presentation. MCPS staffers said they do not anticipate needing to buy additional Chromebooks to implement the virtual learning plan.  

“We are reviewing and updating Chromebook inventory controls to ensure that every student receives a properly configured and secure device,” Chief Technology Officer Kimberly Fields said at the Thursday meeting. “We want to be able to do a grab and go as to not impact valuable instruction time.” 

MCPS will continue to have snow days, according to the presentation, since the state outlines that districts must use all make-up days before utilizing virtual learning. Meal services during virtual learning days will occur through emergency meal sites at the schools where students are enrolled.  

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“This is different than how emergency meals have been provided during recent weather- related closures, and is likely to cause some confusion. The federal and state waivers only allow for students enrolled in schools distributing meals to receive meals on operating days, including a virtual day,” Tamara Hewlett, director of curriculum development and instruction, said during the Thursday meeting.  

Taylor told the board that one of the “greatest strengths of this plan is that we’re actually not rushing into it.” 

“Even though you are looking at an approval today, we have a long runway of several months before our next anticipated moment, where we would have to intentionally prepare for an occurrence,” he said. 

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine