Board Schedules Make-Up Day in April

"School's out." That's music to the ears of so many students, but for administrators it's the start of a scheduling nightmare. The aftermath of last week's storm left local officials with no choice but to close school, and no choice but to make those days up at some point during the academic year.

Tuesday evening heard the Board of Education decide to schedule one of those five requisite make-up days on April 1, bumping a previously scheduled Professional Development Day to the end of the school year and tentatively pegging graduation to Monday, June 21.

The decision wasn't easy.

"Nothing is ever easy," said Superintendent of Schools Don Fiftal. "When I saw our school days collapse—Monday, Tuesday—I thought: oh please, God, not Wednesday."

As it stands, Darien has closed school on five days, which, before last night's board vote, pushed the last day of school to Tuesday, June 22. That's about four days later than usual. School officials say that the missed school days have infringed upon Advanced Placement students' study time; the exams begin in early May, and make-up days in April could prove beneficial. Moreover, they say teaching and learning only becomes more challenging as the excitement of summer nears.

But a minimum 180 days of school are required by law, and tacking make-up days to the end of the year is common practice. The scheduling dilemma left teachers, students and parents alike wondering: what's a school board to do?
 
Before voting on a solution Tuesday evening, the Board of Education addressed and discussed each of the following make-up day concerns:

The Governor declared a state of emergency. Do we have to go the 180 days?

By law, schools must be in session for a minimum of 180 days. There's no getting around it, said Fiftal who contacted the State Department of Education for the final word.

"They told me: if you have days in June to get in 180, don't even look at trying to get an exemption," Fiftal said, noting that even getting the state to budge a July commencement was an uphill climb.

Can we use the April vacation?

Yes, but Fiftal said he couldn't recommend it, drawing on previous experience with districts that decided to make-up missed days during vacation.

"The absentee rate was almost one third," he said. "People had their vacations planned."

It was even a headache for those who didn't have vacation plans, said Fiftal.

"These were not good educational days. Students were distracted, and teachers had to re-instruct."

What about Saturdays?

"Saturday is the same issue," said Fiftal, drawing again from prior experience.

Absenteeism was high, and those students who did attend school were lacking in energy. The decision also conflicted with community activities.

Could we hold school on Thursday, April 1 and move the Professional Development Day to the end of the school year?

Good idea, said Fiftal. Professional Development Day can easily be moved to the end of the year, as the district hasn't confirmed any speakers or major contracts. From an academic standpoint, the move affords AP students an extra day of preparation.

Is it possible to hold school on April 2, for either a full or half day?

Perhaps the most controversial suggestion, holding school on Good Friday, met mixed review. Where some members said that it was insensitive, others felt it appropriate given the extraordinary circumstances.

Fiftal researched the possibility with religious clergy and discovered a number of services had been scheduled throughout the day. Darien's school attorney told Fiftal that Good Friday make-up was, as far as he knew, unprecedented for area schools.

Co-Chair Betsy Hagerty Ross referenced state statute 1-4 that designates Good Friday "a legal holiday of fasting and prayer."

James Plutte spoke in favor of April 2 option. From an educational standpoint, he said two days in April are far more constructive than two in June.

"We need to honor religious observance and excuse students who want to attend services, but we're struggling with a unique situation," said Plutte

Amy Bell disagreed. She said that it was disingenuous to look at the academic schedule in a vacuum.

"We're part of a community, and we have to make decisions as part of that community," said Bell. "I don't think it's respectful."

The motion to schedule one school day for April 1 and peg graduation to Monday, June 21 (to be confirmed after April 1), passed five to three.

Administration has yet to discuss how the end of the year will play out for those students in the Darien High School's Senior Internship Program.