Northern Michigan Schools Closed Due to Flooding, Lawmaker Proposes Relief

State Rep. Dave Prestin introduces plan to forgive additional school closing days for affected districts

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:56am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a child's backpack and school supplies on a kitchen table, with soft pools of warm color and light creating an atmospheric, dreamlike quality that conceptually represents the disruption and uncertainty faced by families during unexpected school closures.As weather-related school closures disrupt family routines, a proposed legislative plan aims to provide stability and relief for affected districts and parents.Traverse City Today

Schools across Northern Michigan have remained closed for multiple days due to widespread flooding, causing significant disruption for families. In response, State Rep. Dave Prestin has announced a legislative plan to allow local school boards to waive up to 15 school closing days, a substantial increase from the current limit of six days. Parents have found their daily routines significantly altered by the frequent closures, but they are working to keep their children engaged in learning during the unexpected time at home.

Why it matters

The continued school closures have created significant upheaval for families, forcing parents to balance their home and work lives while ensuring their children do not miss essential learning. Rep. Prestin's proposed legislation aims to provide relief to affected districts and families by allowing more flexibility in forgiven school closing days.

The details

The legislative plan introduced by Rep. Prestin would allow local school boards to waive up to 15 school closing days, a substantial increase from the current limit of six days. To be eligible for the additional forgiven days, schools must be located in a county under a state of emergency declared by the governor.

  • Schools across Northern Michigan remained closed on Thursday due to widespread flooding.
  • Rep. Prestin announced his plan to forgive additional school closing days on April 16, 2026.

The players

Rep. Dave Prestin

A state representative who has introduced a plan to forgive additional school closing days for districts affected by significant weather-related disruptions.

Heather Van Dusseldorp

A local parent who explained the impact of the frequent school closures on her family's daily routine.

Jason Lindberg

A parent who noted the unprecedented number of school days off this academic year and expressed strong support for Rep. Prestin's proposed legislation.

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What they’re saying

“It certainly changed our plans. Lots of disappointment for our kids and just not being able to go see their friends and kind of go with their normal school plan.”

— Heather Van Dusseldorp, Parent

“Between the weather and the flooding, it's been a lot of time off from school. I think this has been, like, the most school off they've ever had in an academic year.”

— Jason Lindberg, Parent

“Our teachers have done a really good job of sending work home. And we have a lot of, like, reading and writing and math activities that we can do with them at home. And I think there's been really good communication between our teachers, the administration, and the parents to try to keep kids on track.”

— Jason Lindberg, Parent

“We can kind of, you know, improvise and do something at home. But, you know, it's still not what was planned. And I can't do what all the other teachers were going to do all day long.”

— Heather Van Dusseldorp, Parent

“I think that's great. I don't think that there's a lot of benefit to either the faculty or the students to extend the school year, unless it's necessary.”

— Jason Lindberg, Parent

What’s next

If passed, Rep. Prestin's legislation would allow local school boards to apply for the additional forgiven school closing days in counties under a state of emergency declared by the governor.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges families face when unexpected school closures disrupt their daily routines and children's education. Rep. Prestin's proposed legislation aims to provide relief and stability for affected districts and parents during these weather-related disruptions.