The school year just got longer as one day will likely be added to this year’s school calendar to make up for time lost to snow and bad weather.
“Our plan is to turn May 22 into a full day and make May 23 the abbreviated day to end the school year,” said Director of Schools Bobby Cox, noting it will become official once the School Board votes on the measure at its next meeting.
Monday’s cancellation of classes due to icy conditions meant time would need to be made up since the school system had used up its nine days set aside for inclement weather. Schools were first set to start two hours late Monday but persistent sleet during drive time forced the administration to cancel the entire day.
Most of Tennessee was under a State of Emergency called by the governor Monday due to a predicted ice storm. While portions of Northern and West Tennessee did see some power outages and significant icing, most parts of the state avoided the predictions of doom when it came to a major ice event.
As for plans should more bad weather force additional school closures, Cox said the School Board will have to decide if it wants to take Good Friday and convert it to a snow day, add more days to the school year, or add time to the school day.
Cox said this winter has been worse than most, especially after Christmas break.
“I’ve talked to a lot of teachers and students who are ready to get back to class like normal,” Cox said. “All these weather days do affect the flow of things but I think teachers have been doing a great job of adapting to the situation.”
In an effort to get one more snow day, the school system already dropped late-start Thursdays from the curriculum after Christmas.