RUMFORD – To make up for snow days, SAD 43 directors are contemplating having all students attend half days of school on two Saturdays in April, rather than have them attend classes into late June.
As of Tuesday, district students have had six snow days, said Superintendent Jim Hodgkin at Tuesday night’s School Board meeting at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford.
The last day for seniors is to be June 10, with graduation on June 11. But for all other students, the last day would be June 22 to make up for the snow days.
However, directors voted 10-0 Tuesday in favor of changing the March 25 teacher workshop day to a student day.
Barring any further snow or spring flooding days, that means June 21 would be the last day of school; June 22 is now to be a teacher workshop day.
But Hodgkin and directors surmised that they could end school as early as June 17. This could be done if directors approve having students attend school for half a day on both Saturday, April 9, and Saturday, April 30.
To make the Saturdays work, however, a certain percentage of students must attend school on both days. Otherwise, a make-up day would have to be added.
Other available days to use as full days, Hodgkin said, are Wednesday, March 30, and Wednesday, April 27. Those were originally scheduled as early release days.
Rumford Director Betty Barrett was concerned about students not showing up for school on the two Saturdays.
“Parents haven’t been told about this at all,” she said. “What happens if kids don’t show up at all?”
“Education isn’t the point to get them to school on a Saturday. There has to be some incentive, like detention, if they don’t,” she added.
That’s why the board is seeking feedback from parents with children attending SAD 43 schools. Directors are to discuss the matter further before taking action on the topic at their next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the high school.
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