Decatur’s school board decided 4-1 to make up only one day lost to snow earlier this month. A full school day is now scheduled for March 12, previously a teacher work day. The lone dissenting voice was Annie Caiola who has been board chair the last two years.
City Schools Decatur has lost six days to weather, including three in September for Hurricane Irma.
Because CSD is a charter system, Superintendent David Dude said, “The decision to make-up school days missed for any reason is at the discretion of the superintendent and local boards of education”
Feb. 22 and 23 could’ve been used since both are designated as potential makeup days, but they are also part of winter break. CSD has four week-long breaks during the year in September, November, February and April.
Dude listed several reasons for not making up the days, including parents who had already planned vacations, and the likelihood that many students simply wouldn’t show for class.
“I know that many parents schedule ski trips during winter break,” said Commissioner Garrett Goebel, who added, “I haven’t skied myself in 20 years.”
Caiola was unwavering.
“I’m comfortable in letting three days go,” she said, “but not five. That’s a week worth of school. We’re not making a decision here based on a primary goal, which is educating children.”
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