Spring Break May Be A Long Weekend This Year

By Pattie Cox
pcox@garrardcentralrecord.com

As snow days continue to pile up this year, Superintendent Don Aldridge is recommending spring break be shortened rather than extending the school year any further.

Although the decision, which is merely a recommendation Aldridge will present to the board on Tuesday night, may not be the most popular decision especially for families that have already secured travel arrangements, he feels it is the best decision for the students’ education.

“If you think about instruction, instruction is more relevant to a student in April than it is in June,” Aldridge said. “That’s what we’re here for.”

Since the Friday before Spring Break has already been used, the next three days, Monday through Wednesday, will be taken. If no further days are lost to inclement weather, the last day of school will be a half-day on Thursday, May 27. Staff will finish out the year on Friday the 28th with graduation and Project Graduation held that night. If another day or so is needed, the students can go all day on the 27th and 28th and the teachers can close out the year after graduation.

The recommendation, which also enhances instructional days prior to testing in April, has already been presented to staff from each of the district’s schools with full support from them along with the principals, Aldridge said.

Since spring break has always been recognized as possible make-up time, those who have made travel plans should have made them tentatively. If they have not, Aldridge will gladly send letters to the appropriate parties involved in those plans, he said. Hopefully the result will be refunds.

Of those that refuse to change plans, Aldridge still feels like attendance will be as good if not better than it will be at the end of the term.

“The number-one variable is the student,” Aldridge said. “[It is our responsibility] to provide the best instruction we can.”