MILLBURY – Most Lake
School District students and staff won’t be spending spring break
sunning on a beach, riding roller coasters at a theme park or just
relaxing.
They’ll still be in school.
At Wednesday’s
meeting, the Lake Board of Education voted to erase most of spring
break, having classes on April 14, 15, 16 and 17. School will be closed
on Good Friday, April 18 and on the Monday after Easter,
April 21.
The schedule change is to make up 15 calamity days caused by record cold and snow this winter.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence … I hope,” said Superintendent Jim Witt.
The board also voted 3-1 to extend the school calendar by two days, adding May 29 and 30.
Board member Scott Swartz voted against the motions to have school during spring break and extend the
calendar.
He said the Lake
calendar that was approved last year already had five days built into it
at the end of the school year, going into June, in case of calamity
days.
“I know we have to make up … days, but why shift?” Swartz said.
Board president Tim
Krugh said there is some concern about the late spring heat in the
classrooms going into June. But mostly, he said, teachers will be able
to use the spring break days to better prepare students
for the Ohio Achievement Assessments in May.
“These extra days will be useful days – classroom days,” Krugh said.
Witt said the staff
was presented with four options to make up the calamity days and the
spring break days were “overwhelmingly” approved.
He added that spring break plans already made by staff and students will be accommodated.
Board member Monica Leppelmeier said the whole situation was “no win.”
“No matter what we do, it’s not going to work for everybody,” said board member John Ervin.