| This could be a watershed year for West Virginia's county school systems actually delivering 180 days of instruction each school year, but in most cases, school is opening earlier.
For years, a number of initiatives guaranteed 180, but still flunked.
In Braxton County the school year began Tuesday, less than two months after the the last one ended.
Braxton County School Superintendent David Dilly said a difficult winter pushed last year's calender to the second week of June before the year was over.
He said residents voted to start the new year earlier to give plenty of time for snow days.
Braxton and Wayne counties both started Tuesday, earlier than any of the 55 counties. Cabell County schools open Wednesday.
Calhoun schools open next Thursday, August 14.
Beginning this school year, school districts in West Virginia are required to complete 180 instructional days even if it takes until June 30 to get them in.
| 
