State Superintendent Lillian M. Lowery has denied Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ request for a five-day weather-related waiver of the 180-day school year requirement, and Interim Superintendent Mamie J. Perkins is now planning to ask the Board of Education to amend the school calendar to open schools and offices for students and employees on the day after Easter, April 21, 2014. That day had previously been scheduled as the last day of Easter/Spring break.
State regulations stipulate that schools be closed on the day following Easter, so Mrs. Perkins today submitted a request to Dr. Lowery to waive that requirement and allow schools to be open. If the waiver is granted, Mrs. Perkins will formally recommend the calendar change to the Board of Education at its April 2, 2014, meeting. Should the Board adopt the change, the last day of classes for students would be Monday, June 23, 2014.
“Historically, the state Board of Education has granted single-day waivers to systems when the last day for students falls on a Monday,” Mrs. Perkins said. “It would be my plan to then ask for that waiver which, if granted, would move the last day of class for students to Friday, June 20, 2014.”
AACPS builds four days into the Board-adopted school calendar for inclement weather, but has used five additional days as a result of the unfavorable weather conditions this winter. A June 20 dismissal date combined with the calendar change regarding Easter/Spring break and waiver request would mean that students will have made up all but one of the days.
The waiver requests do not impact teachers and other employees whose negotiated agreements stipulate the number of days they must work each school year. Any discussions on the length of those work years must be held separately.