Changes in School Schedule Proposed to Make Up 'Irene Days'

Last year Ledyard students had seven snow days. This year, thanks to Irene, students missed three weather-related days even before school started.

But those days off will need to be made up, and at its regular meeting on Sept. 21, the school board will vote on a plan to make up the days.

The plan involves holding school on three days previously scheduled as days off. Half-day sessions would be held on  Nov. 23, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and Dec. 23, the Friday before Christmas Eve. A full day of school would be held on Feb. 21, 2012, the Tuesday after the long Presidents Day weekend.

“The Board realized that we have already missed three days even before the winter season begins,” schools Superintendent Michael Graner wrote to parents. “As it now stands, the school year will end on June 20; that would give us only three snow days prior to the anticipated graduation date of June 23.”

Graner said the board is hoping to solicit feedback from parents before it votes on the proposal.

Parents wishing to provide the board with some feedback on the proposed changes may contact any member of the Board of Education (their contact information is available at www.Ledyard.net) or email Graner at mgraner@ledyard.net

“We realize that there are other options, but we thought these days would be the least disruptive,” he said. “We understand that families may have prior travel plans on those days, and as they did last year, schools will make arrangements for students to make up missed work.”