Spencer, IA (KICD)– Mother Nature has been less than kind when it comes to winter weather through the first half of the winter season and that led to a number of area school districts being left with a decision on how to make up the growing number of snow days.

Spencer Superintendent Terry Hemann tells KICD News districts are given an option as to how they want their instruction time tallied.

Hemann says Thursday’s cancellation of classes takes Spencer’s total up to seven full days of being closed due to weather which means at least a couple will have to be made up already and winter is only about halfway completed.

He adds that no one ever wants to cancel school, but it is simply done for safety reasons.

Hemann also notes that while some are getting frustrated with the number of cancellation days being accumulated, bus traffic has to also be considered as the geographic layout of many school districts continues to change leading to buses and students traveling further than in the past.