Prince William County Schools Superintendent Steven Walts proposed adding three days to the end of the 2013-14 school year to make up for the 12 missed days of schools and the five 2-hour delays due to weather.
“As a result of this week’s two closing and today’s two-hour delay, additional time needs to be made up in order for PWCS to meet state requirements for instructional hours and courses,” Superintendent of Learning, Tim Healey explained.
Should this plan be approved by the School Board at their next meeting, Wednesday June 18 would be added as a regular school day, Thursday June 19 would be added as a regular school day and Friday June 20 would be added as a day in which elementary and middle school students could leave on early release. High schools students would be required to attended their scheduled exams on that day.
As per the Feb. 19 School Board meeting, March 31, previously a teacher workday, had become a regular day of school, and elementary school recess was shortened by 10 minutes starting Feb. 24.
Walts explained that he decided on this plan, explicitly choosing to not take time away from the spring break holiday, which he believed would cause, “numerous problems with students and staff,” since many have vacation plans that could not be easily changed.
Rather, as summer vacation is further out, he surmised fewer people would have already booked their vacation plans with hotels and airlines. Should parents already have vacation plans, Walts said their children could receive an excused absence with a note.
Walts' long discussion on the topic indicated that he did not take the decision lightly. He explained that he discussed various options with members of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. As other well-meaning superintendents relayed stories of failed experiments in making up snow days, Walts mainly learned what not to do.
He also admitted that he learned from one of his own misstep four years back, when he decided to add 15 minutes onto the end of the school day.
“Four years ago, I recommended it, and you can blame it all on me,” Walts said. “The displeasure from that 15 minutes came from students, staff and faculty, and parents; it came from external organizations.”
Walts said that as a result of the added time, staff and students alike were running late to their afternoon appointments and obligations, which included jobs and activities. Additionally, the late release caused more cross over between school traffic and the afternoon commute, which negatively affected the community.
In making his decision this time, Walts said he sought the input of external teacher and educational organizations.
He asked that parents try to be patient and understanding of his decision, which was not an easy one, nor did he expect it would please most people, but it was the least offensive of a number of poor alternatives.
And while he said he was reluctant to rehash the recess decision, Walts did address it before the Board. He said he heard all of the negative feedback in regards to shortening recess, including the petition. But worst of all, he heard it from his own daughter, who angrily told him that 10 minutes was not enough time for her class to finish their kickball game at recess.
Walts clarified that teachers could extend outdoor and/or exercise time as they saw fit. They should not feel they have to cap active time to only 10 minutes, but could include active time as part of the health and physical education curriculum.
The only thing he said should be capped is time to do “nothing,” as some students spend their recess time just “visiting with friends.”
He suggested elementary teachers could bring their classes outside to identifying geometric shapes or take their students for walks around the school reciting math facts.
Dr. Otaigbe of the Coles district said he wants to revisit the recess issue because he felt it had been ill defined. However, Chairman Milt Johns said that discussion would have to wait until next week when the extension of the school year was on the agenda for a vote by the Board.
Other School Board members used their Board member’s time to address the weather closings as well.
Betty Covington of the Potomac district addressed parents, asking them to “please, be patient with us. We’re doing the best we can.” She said that while she received plenty of emails on the matter this week, there was no clear consensus among those who contacted her.
Gil Trenum of the Brentsville district asked for clarification on the question of a waiver. Would days of school called off due to the Governor’s State of Emergency qualify Prince William Public Schools for a waiver?
“Declaration of the emergency gives us the opportunity to apply for the waiver,” said James Fagan, the school division's counselor, but added, “they are almost never granted.”
Walts explained that for the School Board to secure a waiver they would first have to prove that they have done everything in their power to make up those days. He said he would not feel comfortable asking for a waiver, because he could not accurately say the district has done everything possible.
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