Some years, it is not unusual for local school districts to be in session a week or even longer than originally planned because of the need to make up snow days.

This could become a thing of the past now that Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a bill that allows districts to have “flexible instruction days” because of not only inclement weather but for other reasons, too, such as building repairs or terroristic threats. Charter and parochial schools are also allowed to offer “cyber snow days,” under the new law which takes effect on Sept. 1.

This should be a welcome relief to parents who plan an early vacation or post graduation celebrations and for students who want to get a jump on summer jobs.

Of course, what just about everyone wants to know is how this will actually work out in reality compared to conceptually. Will there be any clout behind the districts’ demands that students do school work from home?

The state Department of Education conducted a pilot program over the past three years with several York County school districts since this is the home area of the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York.

She said the districts which tested the program for several years gave it “rave reviews.”

School districts which continue to build in school days to their schedules don’t need to offer flexible instruction days, as long as students get at least 180 instruction days a year. In cases such as these, students can still use snow days for recreational and other noninstructional activities.

The bill allows schools to apply for three-year permits to have flexible instruction days.

Not making the program mandatory is a relief to some struggling urban districts, including Allentown and Bethlehem, whose students do not have access to the same at-home tools enjoyed by those in wealthier districts. These include internet connectivity and computers.

The same is true of financially strapped districts such as Panther Valley. Superintendent Dennis Kergick said the question is not even on the table there.

“We would be hard-pressed to include such a program in our district,” Kergick said.

He said a number of students have limited home access to the Internet, and the district cannot afford to provide laptops to every student as some more financially well-off districts do.

That said, Kergick said he could see advantages to such a program, citing this past school year as an example. The district far exceeded the three snow days built into the schedule, and graduation ceremonies were held in mid-June instead of the scheduled date in early June.

The bill calls for options for students and teachers who do not have internet access because of the lack of connectivity, power or technological advances, but it is not clear as to how these options would work.

Sending students home with just some extra homework in anticipation of a snow day and have it count as a day of instruction would defeat the purpose of the new program.

The legislation has possibilities, but school officials need to make sure that a program is put into place in their districts to ensure that quality education is maintained and that this does not become just a gimmick to end the school year on time.

Schools must take attendance on these days, as required by state law. This is another area which will require some creative reflection to make sure that there is not abuse of the system.

Cynics — and count me among them — are wondering what imaginative and creative ways students will come up with to game the system.

To believe that most unsupervised students at home will stay glued to their computers to complete assignments and other educational tasks during the length of a school day defies logic.

In the coming weeks, the Education Department will post advisories and application forms on its website for schools that wish to participate in the flex-day program. Districts must submit applications by Sept. 1, and schools will be notified by Nov. 1 whether their plans are approved.

Just think of it: Some students might go through their entire school experience without knowing the joy of a carefree snow day. One minor benefit: We might not have to endure the incessant scrolling “school closed” announcements across the bottom of our TV screens on snowy mornings.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com