Board converts early-dismissal days to full days to make up four weather-related missed days

The Southampton County Public Schools board voted to make up four weather-related missed school days by converting scheduled early-dismissal days into full instructional days (Option 2), rather than using Presidents' Day, adding days to spring break or extending the June school calendar.

Superintendent Dr. Shannon outlined options after the district reported six missed days due to inclement weather; the division's calendar is 182 days, which covers two of those missed days, leaving four to be made up. Board members discussed options including using Presidents' Day, modifying spring break or adding minutes to multiple days. Concerns raised included family travel plans, teacher planning time and the prospect of lower attendance if students were asked to return after expected end-of-year dates.

Board member Miss Bunn moved to adopt Option 2 (convert early-dismissal days to full days); Mr. Rogers seconded. A roll-call-style confirmation was taken: Mr. Rogers indicated yes; Miss King, yes; Miss Lane, yes; "Miss Bob" answered yes in the transcript; Mr. Scott yes; Miss Hobbs no; and the presiding member announced a yes, giving the motion the majority needed to pass. The motion passed and the board directed staff to implement the calendar change and to communicate the change to families and staff.

Administrators noted that even with the missed days the district would still meet the state-minimum instructional requirement of 990 hours, but the superintendent urged making up time beyond the minimum to avoid learning-loss concerns.

Ending: District staff will publish the revised calendar and make scheduling adjustments for affected early-dismissal days; the board said it may revisit makeup plans if further days are missed.