PEA RIDGE — School is scheduled for Saturday, March 6.

The Pea Ridge School Board approved taking two days from spring break (March 22-23) and adding one Saturday to make up days missed because of snow.

Pea Ridge students have missed eight days of school this year. In the event of an additional two or more snow days, the district has an option to request a waiver ofadditional days.

At the Feb. 8 School Board meeting, superintendent Mike Van Dyke asked the board for the calendar change. Curriculum coordinator Bonnie Fullmer told the board that, although the state Department of Education will consider a waiver to not have to make up missed days, that it would not be considered at all if the school district didn’t forfeit some days from spring break.

Van Dyke said: “I know folks have stuff planned for spring break, but also, when school is out. We’re going to step on somebody’s toes some way.”

He said the school employees “feel very strongly” about being out of school by Memorial Day (which is May 31).

“This year, we worked really hard and tried to get the days inearly for in-service,” Van Dyke told the board. “Our parents like a full week at Thanksgiving ... some districts only have a day or two then. There must be 178 days of student contact.”

Julie Thompson, director of communications with the Arkansas Department of Education, said school districts that have missed more than 10 days will be able to submit a request for a waiver for the additional days. Waivers may not be submitted for less than 10 days.

She said that school districts must submit a request to Dr. Tom Kimbrell, commissioner of education, to make up an educational day on Saturdays. “It must be very detailed,” Thompson said of the petition.

“I haven’t heard of a minimum number for attendance,” Thompson said,“but we want to truly make it an educational day.”

Arkansas Department of Education staff will review the requests on a case-bycase basis and make a recommendation to Arkansas State Board of Education, which has the authority to approve the waivers.

Before submitting a waiver request, school districts that have missed more than 10 days should make up as many days in excess of the first 10, which must be made up, as is possible.

The Pea Ridge School Board amended the 2009-2010 calendar at last week’s regular monthly meeting. Students will now be attending class three extra days, Saturday, March 6, Monday, March 22, and Tuesday, March 23.

If there are no more snow days this year, the last day of school will be June 1.

News, Pages 1 on 02/17/2010