There has been a lot of discussion in the last few days about the decision from Albert Lea Area Schools officials regarding snow days.

In the last two weeks, students missed three days of school because of inclement weather, and school leaders were faced with the question of whether these days needed to be made up, and if so, when?

The district said they had initially planned for makeup snow days the week after school was slated to get out, but ultimately decided to schedule two makeup days on April 4 and June 3. One of those days is a staff development day, and the second day extends the school year by one day.

While we appreciate officials not pushing the school year into the following week — the week of June 6 through 10 — we think it seems odd that the board did not build in snow days throughout the year, especially since we live in Minnesota. It’s a given that we’re going to have snow and likely have time off of school at least a few days each year.

With school starting Aug. 24, 2016, many parents are already arguing that their summer breaks are getting too short.

We urge the Albert Lea school board in the future to take the time and plan for at least three to four snow days throughout the year in the calendar. Also have a plan in place that lists how many days of school can be missed before these makeup days will be used.

We don’t have a problem with the children having to make up snow days. We simply wish the district would plan for those days throughout the year instead.