School to end a day earlier

Classes close out on Friday, June 6

Friday, May 9, 2008

St. Mary’s officials sought and were granted a one-day waiver by the Maryland State Department of Education.

‘‘There always has to be a last day of school ... but the absolute worst day for that to happen is on a Monday,” Superintendent Michael Martirano said this week.

Five extra days were built into the school calendar this year in case of inclement weather. Schools were closed two days because of ice or the threat of ice – Feb. 14 and 22.

The remaining three days that were set aside were backed out of the calendar to make the last day initially fall on Monday, June 9.

Returning to school for one day after a weekend break didn’t sit well with school board members when the initial change was announced in early April. By ending school for students one day short of the 180-day state requirement, the school system will see substantial fuel savings from bus runs and some savings from building energy costs.

‘‘It’s a half-day. It’s a Monday. I’ve heard so many kids say, ‘I’m not going,’” school board Vice President Cathy Allen said.

Allen said that she got word Anne Arundel County public schools requested and received a one-day waiver. She passed the information along to Martirano, who had investigated the option earlier but was told by Maryland State Department of Education officials that it wouldn’t happen.

Martirano heard about the state school board’s decision last week to allow State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick to grant waivers if the last day of school fell on a Monday so Martirano applied last Friday and was notified this week of the waiver approval.

‘‘We met all the [classroom] hours [required]. There’s seat times as well as day requirements,” Martirano said.

The last full day of school will be Wednesday, June 4. The following two days (June 5 and 6) will be half days for students, and there will be no p.m. pre-kindergarten classes.

The last day of school for teachers will remain Tuesday, June 10.

Allen said that will give teachers extra time to finalize grades, clean up their classrooms and finish up other end-of-the-year duties.

Other adjustments to the end of the school calendar could be made if additional school days are lost due to inclement weather or emergency situations.

Graduations will be held the last week of May, with Great Mills High School on May 28, Chopticon High School on May 29 and Leonardtown High School on May 30.

School will resume for St. Mary’s public school students after the summer break on Wednesday, Aug. 20.