Mich. schools might need to make up flu closings

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The state has told school districts across Michigan they might need to hold classes on scheduled vacation days or extend the school year if swine flu forces them to close for too many days.

Bob Higgins, a consultant with the state Department of Education, said Thursday that Superintendent Mike Flanagan last month sent a letter to schools saying educators should start thinking about the possibility.

Schools around Michigan continue to close due to illnesses, including 46 on Thursday.

Higgins says schools can close for six days due to weather or other factors before having to make up time. He says districts might need to eliminate a midwinter break, for example, to meet state guidelines.

Higgins says Flanagan also raised the issue over the summer with schools.