Manchester School Committee hears teacher criticism of 10‑day late‑work procedure

James Colby, a Memorial High School teacher, told the Manchester School Committee on March 24, 2025, that a newly adopted district procedure that gives students up to 10 school days after a due date to address missed assignments is encouraging procrastination rather than responsibility. "Right now, we have a new procedure that allows students to turn work in up to 10 school days late without penalty," Colby said. "It sends and tells students that deadlines are optional."

The comments came during the public comment portion of the meeting and prompted questions from committee members about how the procedure was developed and how it is being applied in classrooms. Committee member Baines called the approach "absolutely absurd" and said the district should set higher expectations. Committee members asked whether the change was a staff decision or the result of committee work; administrators said the procedure was developed by a grading and assessment committee that included about 25 people, including teachers.

A district staff member clarified implementation details during the meeting: the 10 days is not an automatic, unpenalized extension of the due date, the staff member said. Instead, the window is for a student to meet with the teacher and agree on a plan; points are typically reduced incrementally for late submissions. The committee was told the teaching and learning committee will provide another update at its April meeting. No formal action to change the procedure was taken at the March 24 meeting.

Colby urged the board to require clearer deadlines and to teach time management and accountability rather than providing broad late‑work allowances. "Employers don't give employees 10 extra workdays to finish a project without penalty," he said. Committee members agreed to bring questions back to the grading and assessment committee and to review materials from the teaching and learning subcommittee before considering policy changes.