[Updated] Week-Long February Vacation May Be Eliminated in Future Years

Update: The Board of Education wants your input! Participate in the survey by clicking here!

Original Story:

The West Hartford Board of Education is considering an alternative calendar proposal for the 2014-2015 academic year – one that does not include an entire week's vacation for students and teacher in the middle of February.

At its Feb. 27 meeting, the Board approved the first reading of the proposed 2014-2015 calendar for the West Hartford Public Schools, a proposal which included vacation for the week of Feb. 16-20. In 2015, President's Day is Feb. 16 and would be included as part of that week.

Although the Board discussed its policy on opening schools for Veterans Day at the Feb. 27 meeting – and members and students representatives were in general agreement that the policy of remaining open along with opportunities for meeting and celebrating with veterans would continue as a positive educational experience – eliminating the full week of February vacation was not proposed at that time.

"I have now prepared a calendar option with a shortened February break for 2014-2015," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen List said on Monday. List told the Board of Education Tuesday night that there have been six snow days each of the past three years, including one additional snow day, March 8, since the calendar was presented.

"I don't know what the future will portend, but I think it's better not to have people change their plans at the end of the year," List said. Both calendar options appear above as a PDF.

Board Chairman Bruce Putterman said he thinks the Board is inclined to vote in favor of the shortened February vacation, but a vote will not be taken until the April 2 meeting to allow for public input. He also proposed that the Board discuss changes to the 2013-2014 calendar which was adopted last year.

The Board of Education typically adopts calendars two years in advance "as a courtey," Putterman said.

"Given the two winters we have had, we're re-thinking it. What is more painful? Possibly no snow days, a shortened February break, and getting out of school on June 10; or a long February break, lots of snow, and getting out in late June." Putterman said that in his opinion, the first option is preferable.

Putterman said that the Board of Education will ask the public to participate in a survey prior to the April 2 vote on those two options, as well as two others – the option of substituting a week-long March break or an option posed by Mark Overmyer-Velazquez of pre-planning to take days away from April vacation if the days built in during June are used up.

Board member Mark Zydanowicz said that parents he recently met with at Braeburn liked the idea of a March break. However, problems raised include conflicts with CMT and CAPT, Advanced Placement test preparation, and conflicts with vacation for teachers whose own children who may be at school in other districts.

For this year, since West Hartford Public Schools were able to open on Tuesday, the last day of school for 2013 remains June 25. Even if there are additional snow days, List said it would be unfair to shorten the April break at this point since it is less than one month away.

Graduation has not been confirmed, but will likely be Monday, June 24. List said that the date will be finalized on April 1, and although seniors are also required by the state to have 180 days of instruction, once the date is set it will not be altered if there are missed days for any reason later in the year.

In 2010-2011, the West Hartford Public Schools purposely scheduled a four-day February break, which included President's Day, and also survey parents, students, and teachers regarding four different calendar option. Survey results were somewhat inconclusive and a full week was planned for the 2011-2012 academic year.

However, in December 2011, the Board of Education voted to use February to make up some of  the six days missed in the fall due to Tropical Storm Irene and the lengthy power outage resulting from October's freak snowstorm, and February vacation was nearly eliminated in its entirety.

According to the calendar adopted for 2013-2014, school will begin on Aug. 28 and in addition to the holiday break there will be a full week of vacation in both February and April. The last day of school will be June 13 if there are no snow days.

However, on April 2 the Board of Education will also discuss amending the 2013-2014 calendar so it aligns with plans for future years since there is still adequate time for families to plan.