Saying goodbye is never easy

That's what our school district is saying to our February break :(   Even though our Governor declared our area in a "state of emergency", due to the massive snow/ice storm,  and is allowing districts to apply for a waiver for 4 of the 6 days the kids missed from school due to the snow, our district decided to take not only the week in February, but an additional day, in March, to make up the snow days.

When I originally found out I was angry.  Not only angry that the winter break was gone, but that the decision was made without any public input!

However, our superintendent sent the district staff a letter explaining the reasoning behind the decision.  It really was the BEST for the kids and the entire district staff and faculty.  Due to the budget crisis we took our 4 snow days in the beginning of the year as furlough days, so the 4 day waiver would have caused us to take 4 MORE days without pay!!  That would have been a total of 14 days for the year.  YIKES!!

Last year, to make up for the 5 flood days, (what's next--locusts???) our district added 15 minutes to each school day.  That worked out well.  Why, did the superintendent not just recommend that??  Well, that would have meant, custodians, cafeteria workers and bus drivers all would have lost the 6 days of pay.  No, not an option.

So, as I read through the letter, my anger was replaced with understanding and sadness.  There are many families who already have trips scheduled and paid for--with penalties for cancellations and/or changes.  We aren't one of them, but I WILL be working the entire weekend at the gymnastics meet that our gym is hosting.  It didn't seem so bad not having a weekend to relax when I knew that I would have the whole ENTIRE week off after the meet.  Now?  I'm planning to take a personal day after the meet so I can at least have one day to unwind!

I'm sure the board and the superintendent are in for a barrage of criticism and challenges.  But, you know, when they chose to not ask for public input they in effect put themselves in this position.  It will be an interesting drama.  One in which I'll sit back, watch and secretly hope that a better choice comes forward.  I mean the first week in April is SO far away....