Portland School Board Approves Plan for Snow Days

At the start of Portland's special Board of Education meeting Tuesday night, school superintendent Dr. Sally Doyen said what Portland has gone through has never happened before and that it was without precedent.

With 40 more days of winter to go, the elementary schools have recorded eight snow days, the high and middle school, 10. Board members expanded on that, pointing out that for December and January, there wasn't a single week without a snow day, late opening or early dismissal because of the relentless snow and slick roads.

The meeting was about setting a plan to make up the time. The board heard several motions they hoped will put students back on track and prepare to take on the state mandated tests as well as final exams. 

What is definite is three days will be used from February vacation, the 18th, 21st and 22nd. Feb. 18 was originally a professional development day for faculty, and the 21st is President's Day. But it was explained the state does not require school boards to observe certain holidays, including the one in February, if there is an emergency. 

Students whose families have scheduled vacations during the February break will not be counted as absent and will be able to make up any work missed.

Also definite is that school will go to June 17 for the high and middle school and June 16 for elementary schools. Schools were originally scheduled to get out on June 12. The high and middle schools lost two additional days Monday and Tuesday while its roof was cleared of snow and ice. The board voted to allow Doyen to trim the school year from 181 days to 180, allowing for only a one day difference between the elementary schools and the high and middle school.

The board also approved a contingency plan if there are more snow days. By a 5-2 vote, it was decided that school would first be extended up to three extra days in June, possibly as far as June 22. Elementary schools would still get out a day earlier. Any more snow days beyond that will mean losing as many as four days during the week of April vacation, Monday through Thursday.

As one board member put it, "it's impossible to have a crystal ball," but the parents, teachers, and students should have a sense of what to expect.

Complicating the June planning for extra make-up days, is that the elementary schools are not air conditioned.  As hard as it is to think about that in the grip of a record winter, Doyen said the heat in June will make it difficult to conduct classes especially for the younger children.

Dr. Doyen had some good news about the roof of the high and middle school.

The complex was evacuated and students let out early on Friday. It was closed Monday and Tuesday while crews were shoveling off snow, and allowing officials to take a close look at the roof. Doyen said there had been a thorough investigation by engineers and experts who determined the buildings were structurally sound.  She said the cracks that had appeared and caused concern in the kitchen and cafeteria areas were deemed to be "superficial" and the buildings were declared safe. The complex reopened for classes on Wednesday. 

The three elementary schools have also been inspected and declared structurally sound.

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