Schools
High School Adds Days to School Calendar
Jan. 2, Feb. 16 and April 9 being used to compensate for days lost due to the Oct. 29 storm.
With three of its four snow days used before winter’s arrival, the Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education revised the 2011-12 school calendar to give the district some “wiggle room.”
The board Monday night approved a calendar that makes Jan. 2, 2012, a full instructional day, changes Feb. 16 from a full in-service day to half-instructional day and half in-service day and makes April 9 a full instructional day.
The revised calendar accommodates the three days missed because of the power outage following the Oct. 29 nor-easter.
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Superintendent of Schools Frances Stromsland said, “In a worst case scenario, there could conceivable be no break between the winter break and Memorial Day. If the winter deals us many more days closed, at least we have a plan in place that puts us close to what we originally had. We felt that instructionally this might be a better way to do it. I would rather see parents know up front.”
WHREA President Sean DiGiovanna told the board that he had discussed the possibilities with the superintendent and with association membership. The association had delivered a “no confidence” vote message two weeks ago to Stromsland after school officials proposed adjusting the calendar, possibly by removing the two teachers’ convention days.
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“There seemed to be a strong prevailing feeling among teachers; they saw no reason to change the calendar,” DiGiovanna said.
Their concerns, he explained, were that the Jan. 2 date would create a problem for 12-month employees who have that day off and how utilizing Feb. 16 “might be perceived.” Membership also preferred full instructional days to half days, he added.
“The teachers are ready to be as cooperative as we can with whatever you decide,” DiGiovanna told the board.
The superintendent indicated that the resolution also included granting 12-month employees a holiday on Dec. 30 to compensate for Jan. 2.
If more snow days are required that are currently allotted, days would be utilized in the order listed on the current calendar, she said.
The board approved the change 9-1, with the only negative vote coming from Peter Fallon.
