Sixth Snow Day May Mean One Less Day of April Vacation

Avon public schools may cut days from the beginning of April break to make up snow days, a decision that is in the hands of the Board of Education.

The Avon school district has had six snow days so far. According to school board policy, five days can be added to the end of the year and the rest normally would come out of April vacation. The break is scheduled for April 18-24.

If the policy is followed, February break, which runs from Feb. 19-27, would stay intact. 

Interim Superintendent Jody Goeler said that the school board will most likely vote on when to make up the days at the next regular meeting, scheduled for Feb. 8. 

"The board has to determine if it's going to follow this policy or not," Goeler said. "The policy is in place to give guidance about winter like the ones we have."

The last day of school was originally scheduled for June 14. Add five days to that and students will most likely get out on June 21. The sixth day would then, in theory, be made up on the Monday of April vacation.

Goeler said that in light of Good Friday and the Easter holiday weekend, "it would be least disruptive to take days from the beginning of break."

State law requires students to receive 900 hours of instructional time every year, reduced to 450 hours for half-day kindergarten students. Days with delays and early dismissals count as an entire school day.

"The Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of Schools, will determine the opening and ending of the school day for each school," according to board policy. "The superintendent of schools is authorized to make any temporary changes in the opening and closing times to facilitate transportation schedules, or respond to weather-related and emergency conditions."

But the winter is not over and Paul Welsh, Avon highway foreman, said that Public Works is getting ready for more snow predicted later this week. That could mean more snow days in the near future.