Region 16 is close but not yet ready to open. The communities of Prospect and Beacon Falls were informed that the students of Region 16 had yet another snow day due to the damage that Blizzard Charlotte left behind this weekend.

After speaking with Mayor Bob and First Selectman Gerry Smith, Tim James, superintendent of schools, made the decision to cancel school on Wednesday, February 13, 2013.

“All roads are not yet wide enough to assure that traffic can safely pass in opposite directions,” said James, “and though site lines from driveways and intersections are still not what we hope they would be, safety at bus stops and the ability for a school bus to safely travel on all roads must be assured before school will reopen.”

Although the roads still remain a problem, all other concerns have been taken care of.

“I am pleased to report that we had flat roofs shoveled at schools and the parking lots are ready for buses, staff and visitors,” said James.

If the roads are ready by Thursday, students will be sent back to school– but only for a single day. Due to the scheduled upcoming February break that begins on Friday, February 15, 2013, students will only have a one day school week.

The one day week may be fun for a while, but due to the snow days, the last day of school for Region 16 is now Monday, June 24th, 2013 rather than June 11, 2013. However, there may be ways to relieve students of these extended days.

“Because of the effects on missed school days due to Hurricane Sandy and this blizzard, a number of superintendents will likely request that the Commissioner of Education grant relief from the requirement that students attend school for 180 days in a school year,” stated James.

If the grant is accepted, students will not have to attend school for the mandated 180 days of school. However if it is not accepted, the Region will have to look for alternate ways to alleviate this late school dismissal. And in the past years, despite the inclement weather, the Connecticut Board of Education has been firm on their stance of the 180 days of school a year.

According to the countytimes.com, Connecticut Board of Education spokesman Mark Linabury stated in a written statement that, “Only once districts make all efforts at the local level to meet the mandated minimum number of school days which include permissible holidays and previously scheduled vacation days would the Department [of Education] expect local school districts to seek waivers, if viewed necessary, of the 180 day requirement.”

Unless the grant is accepted, the Region 16 Board of Education will have to look for alternative ways to alleviate this late ending.

“The Board of Education will schedule a special meeting soon to discuss calendar options,” said James. “One option would be to have an abbreviated April vacation but no decisions have been made as of today.”

For the students that are tired of just sitting at home, they can hope that school will resume on Thursday. But if it does not, the students and staff of Region 16 will have had a week and a half off to relax and get ready for the rest of the school year.

Sources:

http://www.countytimes.com/articles/2011/11/19/news/doc4ec514c5183af848926127.txt