BOE Further Discusses School Calendar

This week Board of Education members further discussed the school calendar, an issue that has been on many parents’ minds.

Under the board’s current policy, there are seven make-up days for inclement weather scheduled in June. More days would result in a shortened April vacation, beginning with Monday, April 16.

Given the unusual circumstances this year and the six missed days of school already, officials are looking at alternatives.

At the board’s last meeting Case presented an alternative idea that would put students at school on Feb. 21 and add five potential make-up days the week of June 18.

At the meeting this week, he asked board members for ideas and what feedback they’ve heard from the public about the issue. At its Dec. 13, the board will likely make a final decision.

Leslee Hill said many have asked her if the board would consider changing its 183 school day policy this year and go with the state-required 180 days.

"I’ve heard a lot of feedback from people saying that this year was so extraordinary and if we have that wiggle room … would we consider utilizing that flexibility?” Hill said. 

Peg Berry said she has heard similar feedback.

Although Hill said many realize the teachers would still be paid for those extra days, Carlene Rhea and Patti White quickly opposed the idea, saying it took a lot to get to that point and would likely have greater implications than people realize.

“It just took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to that point because the board at the time just believed – we just need the time,” Rhea said.

“How parents look at it and how the teachers’ union looks at it might be very different,” White said.

Senior Julia Kuhlberg, one of two student representatives on the Board of Education, said many of her peers, especially seniors, prefer to keep graduation at June 15 and not go further into the month.

"We are much less productive once you start pushing past the middle of June,” Kuhlberg said.

Junior David Benedetti, also a student representative to the board, said he had heard from students who really feel an April vacation is important.

“The spring break is always very relaxing and gets you back into gear,” he said.

Kuhlberg agreed the break is ideal but said many seniors would still choose losing that over going longer into June. Those going into the military also benefit from an earlier release, she added.

“It’s a tough year; it’s going to be tough to have to decide between those two,” Kuhlberg said.

Board chairwoman Beth Kandrysawtz agreed it is a tough choice but said she is thinking, and has heard from others, that taking some of both may be an option — perhaps scheduling a few of the makeup days in April, leaving at least a long weekend, and a couple in June.

“It leaves the end of the year unknown still — but may be a balancing act between the two proposals,” Kandrysawtz said.

The board is scheduled to meet next Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and may make a final decision. Members of the public can speak at the beginning of the meeting about this issue or others. The meeting will be held in Room F of the