COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Three eastern Ohio school districts that canceled classes when dozens of tigers, bears and other exotics animals were let loose don't have to make up an extra school day.
Three districts in Muskingum County canceled classes Oct. 19 as a safety precaution because local law enforcement wasn't sure whether the creatures released by their suicidal owner were still prowling the area. Authorities were forced to kill 48 animals.
The state superintendent on Wednesday approved waivers for the schools under the state's definition of "calamity day."
A spokesman for the Ohio Department of Education says the schools couldn't transport the students to class because of safety concerns that were beyond districts' control.
The state allows schools five so-called calamity days for circumstances such as hazardous weather or disease epidemics.
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