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Despite snow, graduations may hold

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Thursday, February 28, 2008

School boards may soon be scrambling to decide how seniors can graduate on time now that the year's allotted snow days have been used.

As of Wednesday, SAD 21 had canceled school six times for Canton, Carthage and Dixfield students. The last day of school is June 16.

In SAD 43, six snow days have been used, bringing the last day of school for Rumford, Mexico, Byron and Roxbury students to June 17.

In SAD 44, Superintendent David Murphy said seven snow days have been used, along with a school cancellation due to water problems. The last day of school for Andover, Bethel, Greenwood, Newry and Woodstock is now June 19.

SAD 43 Superintendent Jim Hodgkin, whose children attend SAD 52, which includes Turner, Leeds and Greene, said 12 days have been used there. Those students will be in class until the end of June, he said.

SAD 21 Superintendent Tom Ward said the 75-member senior class at Dirigo High School in Dixfield is scheduled to graduate June 6. He said he doesn't want to change that date, but so far, his board has not decided what action to take. He is asking the state if a waiver is possible.

Telstar High School seniors in Bethel are also scheduled to graduate June 6. Murphy said his district could change that date.

Hodgkin said the date for graduation for Mountain Valley High School's 148 seniors in Rumford will not be changed from its traditional first Saturday in June, which falls on June 7 this year.

"I don't recommend doing anything yet, and I'm not going to worry about it. We could consider a couple of Saturdays if necessary," he said.

Besides snow days and other school cancellations, each district has also had several delayed starts or early releases.

CLICK HERE To Show/Hide Discussion Thread - (8 Comments)
Comments
Posted By:TSS at February 28, 2008 6:32 AM (Suggest Removal)
Why can't these kids work through April vacation? That would make up a lot of these snow days and they could have a half decent summer. Who decides stuff like that? Does it have to be statewide or can it be district wide?

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Posted By:J at February 28, 2008 7:12 AM (Suggest Removal)
In SAD 21 there are 2 teacher workshop days in March. Why are those still on? Get rid of those work shop days and have the kids in school. The winter is not over, I am sure we will use more snow days, and that will keep our kids in school longer. Come on school board lets think about this!

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Posted By:Adie at February 28, 2008 8:48 AM (Suggest Removal)
That's right "Y" blame the teachers! You should work one of their days, which often goes into the night.

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Posted By:Dennis at February 28, 2008 9:33 AM (Suggest Removal)
Schools are always looking for subs, for those of you who want to blame the teachers for the weather should sign up at your local school and spend a day in the schools.

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Posted By:T at February 28, 2008 9:41 PM (Suggest Removal)
"they can enjoy the summer instead of having days off when it is cold and miserable"...so "y", you're more concerned with the students' comfort, relaxation, and recreation rather than their education. Typical...

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Posted By:T at February 28, 2008 9:46 PM (Suggest Removal)
FYI - Typically, determining the school calendar (vacations) is considered “school board policy” and is set at the school board's discretion and direction usually with teacher association input. Once the calendar is set, it would be difficult to change without the cooperation of the teacher association (which has been done), and for very good reason. One Example: A teacher plans a vacation for his family based on the school calendar set a year in advance and purchases plane tickets, makes hotel reservations, and incurs other costs and now has to cancel. If there is a cost attached to making these changes, who pays? Teacher workshops are part of the school calendar and are also scheduled at the school board's discretion and direction. "Student days" can easily be substituted for "teacher workshop days" as these are not vacation days. There may be a cost attached though. One Example: Workshops are often led by paid consultants who are scheduled months in advance. Canceling or rescheduling might incur a cost.

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Posted By:T at February 28, 2008 10:20 PM (Suggest Removal)
...and oh, one more thing. Regardless, teachers WOULD NOT get out earlier. Teacher workshops would be moved to the end of the school calendar.

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Posted By:T at March 1, 2008 7:00 PM (Suggest Removal)
"y", I doubt you'll ever check here again and read this, but just in case...1) Your response is very incoherent. 2) Yes, different districts may have different “rules”. Each school district negotiates its own contract with its teacher association. There is no state-wide contract between school districts and teacher associations. The “rules” may be different district to district. 3) The “rules” that are the same state-wide are governed by state education law. With regard to the calendar, it is as follows: a) Each school district is REQUIRED to schedule a MINIMUM of five in-service days (teacher workshops) each school year. b) Each school district is required to schedule a MINIMUM of one hundred seventy-five student days each school year. Therefore, in Maine, each school district must have, at a MINIMUM, a one hundred eighty day calendar. Historically, when make-up days are scheduled during vacations or on Saturdays, they are poorly attended by students (30% or higher absenteeism). When make-up days are added to the end of the calendar, absenteeism is no different than at the end of any school year.

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