March 28, 2024

EP Schools Have Two Options on Snow Day Make-Ups:

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"I looked at several options for making up the school days we lost to snow cancellations this year," Superintendent Kim Mercer told the school Committee last night. "We've decided against cancelling time during vacation weeks because so many people have plans they would have to cancel. Classes on Saturday would not be practical for many reasons including the fact that many high school students work," said Mercer.

"It comes down to two options. If we do nothing at all, we will meet obligations by staying in school through June 30th. Those days were already built in our school calendar," said Mercer. Mercer said that the other option is to add thirty minutes each day to make up the difference. "We can ask the state (Department of Education) for permission to approve an amended school day by adding 15 minutes before and after each current day." The move to add additional instructional minutes to each day must also be approved by the East Providence Education Association (teacher's union) because it is a change in the contractual work day.

Teachers will be voting this Thursday on this matter. The school department has also sent a letter to the state requesting a waiver for two snow days that schools were compelled to close. "The letter is in and we're waiting to hear back," said the Superintendent. If the two-day waiver is requested, it will effect how the snow day make-up will be structured. "We can stay in school until June 30th, but we all know how hot our buildings can be at that time," added Mercer.

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