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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ice Storm Makeup Days Cut Into Winter Break For Central Valley

Members of the Central Valley School Board didn’t like any of their options when it came to deciding how to make up last month’s missed school days.

Their conclusion, to schedule classes on Jan. 2 and 3 and June 13, came with the expectation of some complaints.

“This is not going to be a decision that will be greeted with applause,” said Gary Hann, board chairman, at Monday’s board meeting. “Some people will not be happy with any decision.”

The first question to be settled was: Do we have to make up the days?

Yes, answered Superintendent Wally Stanley.

In order to keep state money flowing without interruption, schools must make a reasonable effort to make up missed days. “Reasonable effort” is defined, under state law, as scheduling a minimum of three makeup days.

Neighboring district, West Valley, has hopes of gaining a state waiver for the three days.

“I think that’s an exercise in futility,” Stanley said.

Stanley ran through the choices he’d considered and discussed with staff.

Using Saturdays as makeup days gained little support. Same for spring break.

Taking three of the district’s remaining teacher training days met with little enthusiasm, particularly given Central Valley’s work on a four-period day transition in its two high schools.

Adding 15 minutes per day doesn’t comply with state law. Neither does holding school on Martin Luther King Day or Presidents Day.

“Let’s approach our legislators regarding that,” said board member Cindy McMullen. “It would be far easier (to hold make-up classes on those days), than to bring kids and staff back early on Thursday and Friday of winter break.”

Another section of state law would kick in if the district scheduled all three days at the end of the school year.

Graduation can be held no more than five school days before the end of the school year.

Central Valley and University high schools are scheduled to graduate June 8, a Sunday.

Board members discussed the feasibility of rescheduling that. But the Opera House’s popularity as a graduation site makes those dates tight.

And no one wanted to disrupt graduation travel plans.

Finally, board members settled on adding one day in June and cutting winter break short by two days. They emphasized that the days will be full, ordinary school days.

“We don’t want our patrons to think … that these are some kind of play days,” Hann said. “Because they’re not.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: EAST VALLEY BOARD ALSO SCHEDULES MAKEUP DAYS East Valley students will lose the first two days of their Christmas break for storm makeup days, the school board has decided. East Valley School District was to start its winter break on Dec. 19. Board members on Tuesday, though, voted to schedule makeup days for the ice storm on that Thursday and Friday. The third makeup day needed is not yet firmly scheduled. But Superintendent Chuck Stocker said it’s likely classes will be scheduled on the curriculum day, March 14. “I’m sure we’ll have some unhappiness. But if we can get through the winter season without any more (missed) days, the problem will be gone,” Stocker said.

This sidebar appeared with the story: EAST VALLEY BOARD ALSO SCHEDULES MAKEUP DAYS East Valley students will lose the first two days of their Christmas break for storm makeup days, the school board has decided. East Valley School District was to start its winter break on Dec. 19. Board members on Tuesday, though, voted to schedule makeup days for the ice storm on that Thursday and Friday. The third makeup day needed is not yet firmly scheduled. But Superintendent Chuck Stocker said it’s likely classes will be scheduled on the curriculum day, March 14. “I’m sure we’ll have some unhappiness. But if we can get through the winter season without any more (missed) days, the problem will be gone,” Stocker said.