Full Spring Break back on for county school system
Spring Break will remain a full week for the Jackson County School System after all. Superintendent Shannon Adams announced Wednesday, March 11, that the district will no longer will use Monday, April 6, as a make-up for the recent snowstorm.
That means students and staff in the county school system will have the entire week devoted to Spring Break.
However, a make-up day on Friday, March 13, remains untouched. Students and staff will report to school that day, which was previously scheduled as a teacher planning day.
The district announced last week that it would schedule Friday, March 13, and Monday, April 6, as make-up days after the school system canceled classes for two days following a snowstorm on March 1.
The good news about Spring Break came after Adams attended a RESA legislative breakfast on Wednesday.
“The bad news is that a lot of people have been inconvenienced by my original decision,” Adams wrote in an email to employees. “Some of you have spent a lot of time and energy trying to change travel plans or gather trip documentation to submit.”
Adams said those employees who submitted documentation to take a leave on April 6 will have their papers shredded. He hopes that those employees who changed their vacation plans for the once-scheduled make-up day can change them again.
Administrators also spent hours trying to find an adequate number of substitute teachers to replace those teachers requesting a leave on April 6, he added.
“There has been considerable anguish just at the thought of losing a spring holiday, and I’m sure there have been many other consequences of which I am not aware,” Adams wrote to employees.
Jackson County School System officials weren’t aware of a recent change in state law that would allow the district to miss three or four days of school without a financial penalty from the state, Adams said in an interview.
Before the change last year in state law, a school system could have one missed school day and not face losing QBE funds, he said.
“They used to forgive a day, but you didn’t get your QBE funding,” Adams said. “Which, for us, that day would have been about $200,000 in teacher salaries alone.”
The Jackson County School System will hold its Spring Break April 6-12.
However, a make-up day on Friday, March 13, remains untouched. Students and staff will report to school that day, which was previously scheduled as a teacher planning day.
The district announced last week that it would schedule Friday, March 13, and Monday, April 6, as make-up days after the school system canceled classes for two days following a snowstorm on March 1.
The good news about Spring Break came after Adams attended a RESA legislative breakfast on Wednesday.
“The bad news is that a lot of people have been inconvenienced by my original decision,” Adams wrote in an email to employees. “Some of you have spent a lot of time and energy trying to change travel plans or gather trip documentation to submit.”
Adams said those employees who submitted documentation to take a leave on April 6 will have their papers shredded. He hopes that those employees who changed their vacation plans for the once-scheduled make-up day can change them again.
Administrators also spent hours trying to find an adequate number of substitute teachers to replace those teachers requesting a leave on April 6, he added.
“There has been considerable anguish just at the thought of losing a spring holiday, and I’m sure there have been many other consequences of which I am not aware,” Adams wrote to employees.
Jackson County School System officials weren’t aware of a recent change in state law that would allow the district to miss three or four days of school without a financial penalty from the state, Adams said in an interview.
Before the change last year in state law, a school system could have one missed school day and not face losing QBE funds, he said.
“They used to forgive a day, but you didn’t get your QBE funding,” Adams said. “Which, for us, that day would have been about $200,000 in teacher salaries alone.”
The Jackson County School System will hold its Spring Break April 6-12.
Defined tags for this entry: Jackson County, schools
Reversing his decision not only will save the School system money, but also recognizes the collective feedback he received from the community and his staff. That was an act of humility, and shows leadership that I as a parent appreciate.