Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Calendar Virtual Learning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
GCPS updates school calendar and virtual learning use; state decision pending on requested makeup days
Summary
Superintendent said the district has asked the Maryland State Board of Education for permission to use two makeup days and reiterated limits on consecutive virtual learning days and contingency planning for inclement weather.
Northern Middle School — Garrett County Public Schools officials updated the board on the FY2024–25 calendar and the district’s use of virtual learning days at the Jan. 14 meeting.
Dr. McCartin told the board, “We have asked the state to allow us to go to school on 2 of our makeup days. We are still waiting, for a decision on that.” He said the district will post calendar changes on its website once the state responds.
The superintendent reviewed the district’s approach to virtual learning: the district has shifted to using virtual learning days when appropriate but will still use delays and full closures when required for safety. Dr. McCartin said the district tries not to call more than two virtual learning days in a row “because we need time with our students to continue to prepare for those following days.”
Administrators noted one floating day in the calendar (a 91st day) that this year is scheduled as a professional day with a three-hour early dismissal for students on Feb. 3; that date could change if additional closures are required.
In later remarks the superintendent described the rationale for a recent virtual day: “we just decided it was too dangerous for children to wait outside for a school bus” amid wind-chill warnings and concerns about equipment reliability. He said bus transportation continued to run and that one attendance day was about 85 percent (compared with a typical 92 percent), which staff viewed as evidence that remote instruction reached many students.
No board vote was taken; board members asked that the district issue a press release reminding families about virtual learning expectations and the limits on consecutive virtual days.
