School May Be in Session on Presidents, MLK Days
Superintendent asks board members to consider restoring school days on upcoming holidays to make up for snow absences.
Superstorm Sandy not only caused Montville residents to lose power. The storm also caused Montville schools to lose snow days. All of them.
Superintendent Dr. Paul Fried told Montville Township Board of Education members Monday that the district currently had -1 snow days left after schools were without power and closed for nearly a week following Sandy. Initially, the district had planned to make up any snow days over the four permitted by reducing the number of days students are on spring break, which begins March 25. However, as the district is already without a snow day allowance and it is only the begnning of January, Fried presented another option on Monday: to bring students in for a half day on Martin Luther King Day (Jan. 21) and for a full day on Presidents Day (Feb. 18).
Jan. 21 was initially intended to be an in-service day for teachers, with students out. Fried said he would still have teachers spend two-and-a-half hours on professional development but students would be in school for four hours. On Presidents Day, a national holiday, students would be in session for a full day.
By bringing students back to school on just Jan. 21, Fried said the district would already make up the used day, however, if another snow day were needed, the district would then have to take off of the March break unless Presidents Day were to become a school day. He said he has received feedback from the community that indicates parents would prefer for students to have the full week off in March.
If the board were to vote to have students attend school on Feb. 18 and additional snow days were needed, school days would then still need to be added to the March break. However, if the snow day gained by the Feb. 18 additional school day were not used, Fried said he would create a four-day weekend on the Memorial Day break.
"I think, in a cooperative effort with the [Montville Township Education Association (MTEA)], this possible solution becomes doable," Fried said.
Fried told the board that he has already reached out to representatives of the MTEA and that teachers were amenable to school being in session on Feb. 18 and with the change proposed for Jan. 21. But not all board members were initially in agreement.
Board Member Jackie Ritschel said she was concerned about the length of time students would be without a break.
"It makes sense to take it away, but on the other side, there'd be no break for the kids in February," she said.
In the future, Ritschel said she would like to see the board consider adding vacation days in February to the school calendar to provide more of a cushion in case of situations like this year's. Fried said the 2013-14 school calendar had already been created, but that this year's calendar situation has him thinking it may need further review.
Board Member Charles Grau said he thought the board should stick with the plan to reduce days from the March break, as initially communicated to parents. But as discussion continued, board members seemed to change their minds as Fried explained that he was suggesting the change based on the interests of the community.
Fried also said it is possible attendance would be low if school is restored on Feb. 18, but that he has seen neighboring districts recommend other scenarios that are not being looked upon favorably by the state.
"I don't think using a Saturday is productive. I do think that the students will not show up," he said.
Ritschel said she was happy that the district administrators were thinking about ways to make up the days while suiting the community.
"I think this is very proactive and I think that it should be applauded," she said.
Some board members seemed ready to make a decision at Monday's meeting, but others said they wanted to reach out to the community for input. Ultimately, the board was not able to vote on the calendar change Monday as the meeting was advertised as a reorganization meeting only, without further action to be taken.
The board will continue to discuss the change at the Jan. 15 meeting and take a vote then on whether school will be in session for students on Jan. 21.
What do you think? Should students attend school on Martin Luther King Day and Presidents Day to make up for the snow days or should days be taken off of the March break? Participate in our poll below and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
In This article
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Montville Township Municipal Building
195 Changebridge Rd, Montville, NJ -
Montville Township Board of Education
86 River Rd, Montville, NJ -
Mrs. Smith
7:21 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Oh Mrs. Ritschel, kids get a break every week, it's called the weekend. So don't be worried about that. Take Dr. Fried's suggestions Mr. Grau. Why does someone or in this case 2 someones have to throw a monkey wrench into some perfectly good solutions. I guess neither one of you have a vacation booked during Spring Break huh?
Ariana Cohn-Sheehan
7:54 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Mrs. Smith, To clarify, other board members were also initially in disagreement with the Feb. 18 suggestion.
Mom Tlm
7:25 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Our kids can and should be able to handle school until the March break. I agree with the above, these kids have weekends to recoup. It's called discipline.
m barb
8:05 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
i also agree. what a great solution it would be to have the kids go to school on Presidents day and MLK day. What a great educational tool, perhaps the teachers can teach something about the people we celebrate during those holidays...
tee gee
4:43 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Two thumbs up!
suzanne jablonski
8:17 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Everyone is being so quick to take away these two days because of the vacations the PARENTS have planned during the break. What about the school trips planned during the Presidents Holiday break, now you have children being penalized. I think the 1/2 day for ML break is fine but Presidents day should be left as is. It is only January 8th, we still have over 60 days of the chance of common snow events, what happens at the first snow storm, or we going to start jepordizing the well being of the children by questioning whether we should close the schools or not so the spring vacations would not be effected?
Tina B
9:10 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Why would the kids be penalized for being on a 'school trip'? If they are on a school trip during a school day, aren't they are considered in school? All they would have to do is make up whatever assignments their other classes gave. You are right, we still have over 60 days to worry about another snow event. I would rather have this plan in place before we have to consider chipping days off of Spring Break.
Jack Kroll
9:12 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I am expecting a snowy winter, so any opportunity to cull back some snow days makes sense to me. Planned school trips should continue as planned.
suzanne jablonski
9:28 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Yes, they will continue but the children will be missing class time and have to make it up with assignments, how it that fair? There tornuments that occur during this long weekend that have going on for years, now the children may not be able to go if they are losing full days of school.
What is the plan you are speaking of? All I am hearing is take away these two days and then go on from there, if needed, where is there? Give me a formal, completely laid out plan, before you present partial solutions.
Who is the Board thinking of the? The well being and education of our children or the pressure they are receivng from parents who have planned trips?
Liz Kril
9:16 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
How about start the school day earlier and extend it later? Even if it's 15 min to 30 min.
Do the the math to figure out the proper time, your educators.
Mrs. Smith
9:39 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Can't do that. It's 'days' not hours they have to make up.
Liz Kril
6:59 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Mrs. Smith, Perhaps I wasn't clear, The time added each day in addition would add up to the days that were lost. Though, it would take longer than taking the MLK and Pres day off.
Mrs. Smith
7:26 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Liz, I understand what you are saying, however the state requires students to be in attendance in school for a certain amount of 'days'. You can't add hours onto a day and have those hours add up to a missing day. They have to physically be in school a miniumum amount of DAYS. If you don't believe me or understand what I'm saying, call your child's school and they will explain what the state requires. Even a half day counts as a 'day' so that is why Dr. Fried is proposing they come in a half day on MLK to make up for the snow day we have to make up already, and a full day on Feb 18th to make up for a possible future snow day we may need to take. If we go through the rest of the year without taking another snow day, then the kids would get Feb 18th back as an extra day off over Memorial Day weekend.
Liz Kril
7:35 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Thanks Mrs Smith for the explanation.
Scot W
9:36 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
For as long as I remember, we added the days to the end of the year or took them away from spring break. Maybe too many parents are complaining about missing their vacation time in Florida because of this. If it's not broken, don't fix it.
Mrs. Smith
9:43 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I don't have a Florida vacation or any other vacation planned yet and I still think Dr. Fried's solution is best. I've been a parent in this school system for 17 years and I don't ever remember ever having days added to the end of the school year. They have graduations planned and then the 4th of July celebration to set up, so school has to end when according to the approved calendar.
V
10:01 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Thank you very much, Dr. Fried, for coming up with this idea. I hope that it will be approved by the Board. I also hope that it be followed for years to come, as to conclude the school year earlier in June if snow days are less numerous than expected.
Louise
12:53 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
School trip? Ms. Jablonski, they will have to deal with missing ONE day of school if they have a tournament. This is the same for anyone who deals with extra-curriculars outside of school whether it relates to sports, chess, forensics, science, whatever. It is not a "school trip". A school trip would happen during a school day. And no, I don't have a vacation planned during spring break because my children are obligated to local "extra curricular activities", but I do think adding these days in January and February makes a lot of sense. I hope the board approves this. Kids have weekends off. Not a problem.
suzanne jablonski
1:47 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
There is a larger issue you are missing WHAT is the total over arching plan if more snow days are involved? Do you know that answer, no one seems to be able to answer that question.
How is this action being pro-active? Should there also be classes on Memorial Day? Why not expand the school year by a few days? Because of the 4th of July Fair?
All alternatives should be investigated before a unified decision is made.
Scot W
1:36 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
It's obvious we have two groups here...those who want to take long vacations around spring break and those who think holidays she be observed like the rest of the the world. There's no one solution that's going to make everyone happy but when the school year calendar was planned out, the board stated that any overage days would be taken off of the spring break recess. Maybe some people didn't understand what that meant. I wonder if the school board decided to shorten winter recess would everybody be so easy to give that one up too. And can we stop with the whole "kids have off on weekends" stuff? They don't work in child labor camps. This is how school works in the United States...been that way for a while now.......
V
1:56 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
>> This is how school works in the United States... been that way for a while now... <<
Wrong. There is no federal or state regulation that says schools must stay open or closed on any specific days, outside of major federal holidays. It is part tradition, part collective bargain agreement, and both can be changed if the district chooses so and the union agrees. Of course, a decision like that has a potential to screw people who already planned their vacations and aren't willing to let the kids skip a study day or two and take a potential hit to their grades. I hope the Board takes it into advisement.
Sue
1:43 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Everyone needs to realize that this is up to the BOE and they will do what they want regardless of parents plans. I too remember them adding days to the end of the school year for many years in the past. I think they even did it a few years back, and I have lived and went to school in Montville for many years(30 Plus) ! School must end before July, so not sure why someone above mentioned them going to school passed June. Approved calendar or not kids must go to school a total of 180days. Guessing some people are not flexable and think once its "approved" no changes can be made......
Scot W
2:07 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I'm ok with being flexible but when the board votes and approved a calendar...you natual expect them to follow it. At this point, the board will have to vote on January 15th on whether the kids will be in school or not the following Monday. Not a lot of time for parents to scramble to find sitters if needed. I'm sure the town will be happy to open up M.E.D.LC on those day so that they can make a few extra dollars. Why do we have these "silly" holidays anyway?!?
Joe G
2:46 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The School year 2012-2013 calender was approved by the BOE. The BOE should follow the approved plan. If they flip flop on this what else are they flip flopping on? Good Job Mr. Grau!
Scot W
3:02 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Maxim, did I debate whether there were any laws that regulate when schools can be opened or closed? It looks like you didn't read my quote when you copied and pasted it. I just stated the obvious on how schools aren't open on weekends in the United States. But since you stuck your foot out there...why did you say there are rules around specific legal holidays (which MLK and Presidents Day are) regarding if shools can be open or not? Are you saying the BOE is ignoring those regulations?!?
V
3:08 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Scot, I'm sorry for misreading your quote and glad to see that you reciprocated and failed to read my quote, too. I spoke about *major* holidays, of which we only have six. Schools, being governmental institutions, have to close for those. There is no law or regulation that says schools cannot stay open on MLK Day, which is considered an *optional* holiday.
Scot W
3:38 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Sorry Maxim...I didn't mis-read your quote. I'm not sure where you got the concept of "major" vs "minor" holidays but the United States Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) specifically recognizes MLK and Presidentss Day as Federal Holidays. There are 10 of them.
V
3:49 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Scot, I concede the point regarding the holiday definition. And since you're right, the question is whether it's even *legal* to open the school on MLK or President Day.
Scot W
5:29 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
See....now we're on the same page. ; ) Nice debating with you and I hope it all works out for everyone. I still wonder if all the people who want the kids to go to school on holidays would feel the same way if their bosses told them that they had to work on them as well. Something tells me they would call in sick....
V
7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Scot, most people in private sector routinely work on MLK and Pres. My kids are past the age but it's been a royal pain to find a sitter on such days. Opening the schools while extending the recess, if legally possible, would be a major improvement for many parents. For most teachers, it's probably a wash.
Jack Kroll
11:32 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
I am confused by some of what I am reading in this thread. If the schools are opened instead of closed for MLK and Presidents Day, how does that result in parents needing to get child care for them. Won't they be in school? It impacts the teachers with children on Presidents Day more than parents.
And the complaint that the calendar is set and should not be altered?? It has to be if we are at -1 snow days. The days need to come from somewhere. The proactive effort to prepare us for some snow is being perceived as some hostile move by the BOE, when it seems to me as it is just being smart and prepared. And if we have to revisit the calendar again in March because we get a lot of snow, so be it.
To me, extending the school year should be the last resort, because if you don't move the activities associated with year end (e.g. graduation, etc.) then you wind up just babysitting the kids for a few extra days. No learning is being done. The kids minds are ready for summer vacation by mid-June. I'd rather have them in school an extra day in Jan and Feb when they can actually get something out of it.
In the end, whatever the BOE decides on this, the kids will adapt much easier than the parents.
Dee Buli
6:31 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The same holds true for MLK & Presidents day. The kids & teachers won't be in "learning mode". Just like in years past when days were given back for snow days...no learning actually takes place. Sometimes they watch movies...not educational...disney, etc. But I do agree with Dr Freid.
Steve G
5:48 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I am fine with Dr Freid's suggestion should the BOE approve it. The kids will get to the required 180 days one way or another.
Twinmomhlc
4:48 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
Ok when do they vote? I would like to know what is going on to plan accordingly.
Ariana Cohn-Sheehan
4:49 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
The board will be voting tomorrow night (meeting begins at 8 p.m.) at the township municipal building.