Board of Ed Votes to Forgo the 181st Day of School

The voted Tuesday evening to waive the 181st day of school and, therefore leaving, the April vacation intact.

Prior to this decision, the first Monday of the vacation — April 18 — would have been a full day of school. The district had four snow days built into the calendar, however, the relentless precipitation from this winter caused five. The board voted Feb. 8 to have that day held during April vacation instead of being tacked on as the last day of school in the summer. Only 180 days of school are required by the state of Connecticut.

“I was never for this to begin with, so I am all for not having the 181st day in April,” b0ard member Jerry Pia said.

Over the last two months, board members heard from parents and teachers weighing in on when the final day of school should occur.

“As you may know, the snow has complicated this year for us along with many other districts across the state,” Superintendent Joshua Starr said at a Board of Ed meeting Feb. 8. “We recognize the difficulty of the situation we find ourselves in and  also recognize there are significant concerns that parents would have to choose between a family vacation or losing out on money toward a vacation. There are no good choices here.”

Although the board voted — seven members approving and one objecting — to eliminate the 181st day, an amendment was added asking teachers and staff to make up the time lost on the final day before the end of the school year. Although discussions need to be held with the unions, board members proposed having faculty work a full day, rather than a half, on the final day of school and adding an hour to time spent for professional development.