With extreme weather conditions being experienced in the area, 75% of the hours allotted for schools closures have been used. Richmond R-XVI School District Superintendent Dr. Bryan Copple discussed “snow days” and alternative method of instruction (AMI) options, one of which was used recently. “We have used over half of our 60 hours built into our calendar for leeway. We also have used three our four AMI days,” said Copple. AMI days have to get approved by the state, he added. “I’m not a huge fan of the AMI days but it’s something instead of absolutely nothing,” said Copple. The superintendent understands staff and students go “stir-crazy” being at home on those snow days but he said student safety is a priority. “I certainly want to come back just as much as anybody else but I don’t want to jeopardize student safety to do that,” said Copple. When making the call to cancel school or schedule an AMI day, he said they take into account whether students can make it to school and…