MONROE - An exceptionally snowy winter is creating some serious scheduling questions for the Monroe school district.
So far this year, the district has cancelled school five times for inclement weather, putting the last day of school at June 11. June 12 is set for a teacher inservice, leaving only one day - Friday, June 13 - as the only day off school before the first three-week summer school session begins Monday, June 16. And with southern Wisconsin having experienced its snowiest winter on record, it's very possible that another snow day, or two, is yet to come.
Under the approved school calendar, the last day of school is June 5, with June 6 set for a teacher inservice day. One inclement weather day is built into the calendar, so calling off school one time has no effect on the school schedule.
But subsequent snow days extend the calendar: The second inclement weather day puts the last day of school at June 6, while the third puts it at June 9 and the fourth puts it at June 10. The teacher inservice day would be the day following the last day of school.
There's no easy answer to the calendar problem, Superintendent Larry Brown told the school board Monday. Teachers are under contract to work the days outlined in the approved calendar, so changing dates must meet the union's approval.
There are several possibilities the district can consider, Brown said. One option is to take away days from spring break, scheduled for March 17-24. This may pose a problem for some families who have already scheduled vacations, however.
Another option Brown said some districts are considering is attending school on a Saturday or two to make up missed days. Again, this may be a problem for families that have already scheduled activities.
Extending the school day to begin earlier in the morning and run later in the day is a possibility, although Brown said this is also a difficult option. "It's tough on the kids," he said. "It's a long day."
There's been some talk that the state Department of Public Instruction may waive its requirement of 180 days of instruction. Brown said this is unlikely "unless we get nailed three or four more times."
Brown said he will set up a meeting with the Monroe Educational Association to discuss possible scheduling changes. Whatever the decision, Brown said, there will be some people who will be unhappy.
"I don't know how you solve it," he said.
So far this year, the district has cancelled school five times for inclement weather, putting the last day of school at June 11. June 12 is set for a teacher inservice, leaving only one day - Friday, June 13 - as the only day off school before the first three-week summer school session begins Monday, June 16. And with southern Wisconsin having experienced its snowiest winter on record, it's very possible that another snow day, or two, is yet to come.
Under the approved school calendar, the last day of school is June 5, with June 6 set for a teacher inservice day. One inclement weather day is built into the calendar, so calling off school one time has no effect on the school schedule.
But subsequent snow days extend the calendar: The second inclement weather day puts the last day of school at June 6, while the third puts it at June 9 and the fourth puts it at June 10. The teacher inservice day would be the day following the last day of school.
There's no easy answer to the calendar problem, Superintendent Larry Brown told the school board Monday. Teachers are under contract to work the days outlined in the approved calendar, so changing dates must meet the union's approval.
There are several possibilities the district can consider, Brown said. One option is to take away days from spring break, scheduled for March 17-24. This may pose a problem for some families who have already scheduled vacations, however.
Another option Brown said some districts are considering is attending school on a Saturday or two to make up missed days. Again, this may be a problem for families that have already scheduled activities.
Extending the school day to begin earlier in the morning and run later in the day is a possibility, although Brown said this is also a difficult option. "It's tough on the kids," he said. "It's a long day."
There's been some talk that the state Department of Public Instruction may waive its requirement of 180 days of instruction. Brown said this is unlikely "unless we get nailed three or four more times."
Brown said he will set up a meeting with the Monroe Educational Association to discuss possible scheduling changes. Whatever the decision, Brown said, there will be some people who will be unhappy.
"I don't know how you solve it," he said.