State Rep. Donni Steele yesterday secured approval of an amendment to House Bill 5797 to ensure Lake Orion and other Oakland County school districts affected by the recent water main break emergency are included in additional instructional day flexibility.

House Bill 5797 would allow certain school districts to count up to four additional days as instructional days when classes are canceled because of conditions outside the district’s control. These additional days would be on top of the six emergency closure days districts are already permitted to use for situations such as severe storms, fires, or power outages.

Steele introduced her amendment after several Oakland County school districts were forced to close for multiple days due to the state of emergency declared by Governor Whitmer, on May 10, 2026, following the major water main break affecting Orion Township, Lake Orion, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township.

“Families and schools were put in an impossible situation through no fault of their own,” said Steele (R-Orion Township). “This was a public health emergency that disrupted entire communities and forced schools to close unexpectedly. My amendment makes sure these districts are not penalized for circumstances completely outside their control.”

House Bill 5797 was reported from committee and passed by the House with strong bipartisan support and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.