Local Districts Mull Options, Await Decision on 180-Day School Year Requirement

Word is spreading about possible legislation allowing school districts to reduce the school year no more than 10 days due to Hurricane Sandy keeping kids at home. In the meantime, most local school districts still have plans to keep kids in class for the full 180-day school year.

Mount Sinai School district decided to take one day of vacation away from students over Thanksgiving break, opening up for a full day of classes next Wednesday.

“We are certainly in a tough position,” said Superintendent of Schools Enrico Crocetti in an email sent to parents in the district. “Our prime directive is to ensure the best quality education for our students.”

He added “maintaining the minimum of 180 instructional days is of paramount importance.”

In that district the calendar year provided four snow days but Mt. Sinai had already been closed seven days (two of which were conference days.) That left the district one day short, which they will make up with the reduced holiday break next week.

“If we are required to take more inclement weather days they will be coming off of our March break,” Crocetti said in his announcement.

Rocky Point Superintendent Michael Ring said in an email to Patch that the district is "still reviewing the situation and have not made a determination at this time."

Miller Place announced on its website that the 2012-13 school calendar "may need" to be revised by adding school days back. Those days could come from any combination of the February or March 2013 vacation weeks but the December vacation week will not be effected.

Let Patch save you time. Get local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.