SC Lawmaker Seeks to Prevent Saturday Virtual Learning for Fort Mill Students

State Rep. David Martin files legislation to waive two instructional days missed due to chemical leaks at nearby solar plant.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A vibrant, pop art-style grid of stylized laptop computers in shades of blue, green, and pink, conceptually representing the challenges of remote learning during school disruptions.As schools grapple with pandemic-era disruptions, the debate over virtual learning on weekends underscores the need to balance educational requirements with family schedules.Fort Mill Today

State Rep. David Martin (R-York County) has filed a joint resolution in the South Carolina House of Representatives to allow the Fort Mill school board to waive two instructional days that Flint Hill Elementary students missed due to chemical leaks at the nearby Silfab Solar plant in March. The Fort Mill School Board had voted to hold 'asynchronous eLearning days' on two Saturdays to make up the lost time, but Martin is working to get the days waived to avoid disrupting families' weekend plans.

Why it matters

South Carolina requires students to have 180 instructional days during the academic year, so the Fort Mill district had to find a way to make up the two days missed by Flint Hill Elementary. However, many parents are frustrated by the plan to hold virtual learning on Saturdays, which they say will disrupt family time and other weekend obligations.

The details

Martin said he worked with the South Carolina Department of Education to draft the language for the legislation, and the joint resolution received unanimous consent to move it directly to the House floor. He hopes to get the resolution passed by the House, Senate, and to the governor by April 21, before the first scheduled Saturday virtual learning day on April 25. Fort Mill district officials said they support Martin's effort to have the instructional days waived, as they want to balance the need for instruction with minimizing disruption to families.

  • In March, chemical leaks at the nearby Silfab Solar plant led to evacuations of the Flint Hill Elementary campus.
  • On April 14, the Fort Mill School Board voted to hold 'asynchronous eLearning days' on April 25 and May 2, both Saturdays, to make up for the lost instructional time.
  • On April 16, State Rep. David Martin filed a joint resolution in the South Carolina House to allow the Fort Mill school board to waive those two instructional days.
  • The House is expected to vote on the joint resolution as early as April 21.

The players

David Martin

A Republican state representative from York County, South Carolina who filed the joint resolution to waive the two instructional days missed by Flint Hill Elementary students.

Fort Mill School District

The school district that had to find a way to make up the two instructional days missed by Flint Hill Elementary students due to the chemical leaks, and is supporting the state representative's effort to have the days waived.

Amy Myers

A parent of a kindergarten student at Flint Hill Elementary who hopes the joint resolution passes quickly, as she says Saturday is 'sacred family time' and the virtual learning plan will disrupt her family's obligations.

Joseph Burke

The chief communications officer for the Fort Mill School District, who said the district wants to balance the need for instruction with minimizing disruption to families.

Flint Hill Elementary

The elementary school in Fort Mill, South Carolina that had to evacuate its campus in March due to chemical leaks at a nearby solar plant, leading to two missed instructional days.

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What they’re saying

“'I'm sorry that they were unfortunately put in this situation. It's the unfortunate gift that keeps on giving.'”

— David Martin, State Representative

“'Saturday is a sacred family time. My kids have sports. They have other obligations, and I just don't think it's fair.'”

— Amy Myers, Parent of Flint Hill Elementary student

“'If you don't have 180 days accounted for students, that could put the academic year in jeopardy of counting for those students.'”

— Joseph Burke, Chief Communications Officer, Fort Mill School District

What’s next

The South Carolina House is expected to vote on the joint resolution filed by Rep. David Martin as early as April 21. If passed by the House and Senate, the resolution would then go to the governor for signature.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges school districts face in balancing instructional requirements with the needs and schedules of families. The proposed legislation aims to find a compromise that avoids disrupting weekend plans for Flint Hill Elementary students and their families.