School’s out when?

Posted on by Brian Postelle

Did this year's snow get you down? If you're a Buncombe County student or teacher, the downside isn't over yet. On March 9, the Buncombe County school system announced that summer break will come two days late this year thanks to the need to make up snow days. Rather than ending on Thursday, June 10, class will let out on Monday, June 14.

This year's snowy winter meant all Buncombe County schools missed at least 11 school days, with the Erwin district canceling 13 days and the North Buncombe district taking the cancellation cake at 16 days.

How do you make that kind of time up? The BCS Web site says it best:
"The system-wide makeup days for the entire school system include: three on previously scheduled teacher workdays (Feb. 22, March 12, and May 31, which is Memorial Day); April 7, 8 and 9, originally scheduled as part of Spring Break; Saturday, March 6; Saturday, March 27; Saturday, June 5; Friday, June 10; and Monday, June 14. Saturday makeup days and May 31 will be early-release days. Students in the Erwin and North Buncombe districts have already made up two additional days on Saturday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 27. Students in the North Buncombe district will also attend school on April 10 and two additional days, yet to be announced."

On March 4, the Buncombe County Board of Education voted to allow the flexibility in the schedule by declaring this winter an "exceptional situation" — the magic words that allow the school system to circumvent the state-mandated end of the school year on June 10.

Asheville City Schools is taking its own measures to make up the eight days missed, having already held several Saturday schools and extending the school year by one day. The makeup days left are: Friday, March 26; Friday, April 2; Monday, May 31 (early dismissal); and Friday, June 11.

Of course, this all could change if any more snow comes our way.

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