April Vacation Likely Shortened if Four or More Snow Days Occur

While not yet definite, it is likely that if there are more than three snow days this year, all Wilton school children will have days picked off of their April spring break.

“Revisions to the school calendar are similar to the one we took last year,” said Superintendent of Schools Gary Richards at last night’s Board of Education meeting.

As of now, the last day of school is set for June 20 because of a caused by Tropical Storm Irene. If there is one snow day, the school year will be extended to June 21; another snow day extends it to the June 22.  If there is a third snow day, the school year will be reduced from 181 to 180 snow days, the state minimum requirement. The last day of school will then remain on Friday, June 22. If more snow days are needed—although this is not definite, and has not been voted on by the board, but it is likely their next course of action— then April 16, the first day of spring break, will be removed. If necessary, further eliminations of vacation days will coincide with the number of snow days used. Under this plan, theoretically, a total of eight snow days could wipe out spring break completely.

“Parents ought to know that [the shortening of spring break] is a possibility, and perhaps just presume that some of April vacation isn’t going to be there. We’ll have a better idea as the school year goes on,” said Vice Chair Richard Dubow.

The cutting of a professional day from the calendar year is also on the table.

The school board will meet again on September 22, where a discussion and vote will take place concerning the makeup days.

Connecticut schools are required to have 180 full days of school. Failure to do so would likely result in a cut of federal funding, said Richards, who also noted that Wilton receives about $1.5 million in funds annually. The state legislature would also be unlikely to allow a one-time exemption of even 179 days, he said.

This article has been corrected to show that the last day of school in the instance of three snow days will remain on Friday, June 22; it will not be June 23, which is a Saturday, as previously reported.