SA board seeks input

BERNE — South Adams School Board is considering changes to its delay policy and calendar. But before making decisions, it wants to get more input.
Board members Tuesday asked administrators to gather opinions from teachers, parents and students about the possibilities of adding a three-hour delay option during inclement weather and extending fall break to five days.
The board also held a public hearing on its budget.
South Adams Schools currently has a two-hour delay option, but discussed adding a three-hour as well. The school day would have to be extended by an hour if a three-hour delay was used.
Board comments were split on the issue, with Ray Gill and John Mann in favor of giving superintendent Scott Litwiller the three-hour delay option.
“It creates more options for Scott. I personally think that it’s a good idea,” said Mann. “When you start adding days at the end of the year and go into June to make up those snow days or fog days, it’s just ridiculous.”
But Landon Patterson raised concerns about adding an hour to the end of the school day, including the impact it would have on extra-curricular activities. Student representative Ellerie Baer also said it would affect students who have after-school jobs.
“Having to push it back an extra hour eats into home time and down time for the kids,” said Patterson, while also questioning how much of a difference the extra hour would make during times of snow and fog.
The possibility of a longer fall break stemmed from a conversation with superintendents and board members from Adams Central and North Adams schools. The three districts, along with Jay County, try to coordinate their schedules to accommodate students who travel between schools for vocational programs.
Extending the fall break to five days from the current three would require taking two days away from winter break. The first day of school would remain the same.
Board members said they would like to get more input on the ideas with a goal of making decisions at their October meeting.
The board, with member Amy Orr absent, also held a public hearing on its 2015 budget without any comment. The budget is estimated at $15.3 million, which is up about $100,000 from 2014, with a tax rate of $1.62 per $100 of assessed value.
A vote on the budget is scheduled for Oct. 14.