School districts in northern Oxford County are experiencing their fourth and fifth snow days of the year, and with March considered the snowiest month, more school closures may be in the future.
With Tuesday’s snow day, SAD 44 in Bethel has had the most, at five. And Superintendent David Murphy said that’s the number that was built into the school calendar for the year. Any more days off means students will attend school beyond June 17, the original last day.
The scheduled graduation date for Telstar High School seniors could also be changed from June 10 if additional snow days are needed.
Seniors are required to complete 170 school days, compared with 175 days for the rest of the student population, he said. More snow days may result in make-up days during weekends or April vacation, he said, adding that the SAD 44 board will make the final decision.
“I don’t think snow days have impacted us; snow days are a way of life,” he said.
Tom Ward, superintendent of SAD 21 in Dixfield, said that a snow day coming only one day after students returned to classes from February vacation makes it difficult to maintain consistency of instruction.
“The energy was there and most students wanted to be back,” he said.
His district has taken four snow days – three in February and one in March – along with one early dismissal and one late arrival because of weather conditions.
The district’s original last day of school, June 13, has now been pushed to June 17, he said.
Dirigo High School seniors are scheduled to graduate on June 10. To meet that goal, he said make-up days may be required.
“Right now we’re OK, but March is the snowiest month,” he said.
SAD 43 in Mexico has also taken four snow days, and tacked them onto the end of the school year. Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said the last day of school is now set for June 20.
The district had a late start, he said, which accounts for the later date in June.
So far, the scheduled graduation date for Mountain Valley High School seniors is set for June 11.
“Four snow days isn’t a lot,” he said.
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