Rock Ridge board approves midweek school closures for state athletic events after heated debate

The Rock Ridge Public Schools board voted to close both elementary and high schools on Wednesday and Thursday of this week so students, staff and community members can attend state athletic events.

The vote followed nearly two hours of public comment and board discussion. Students urged the board to recognize the girls basketball team’s state tournament run and suggested using unused snow days. "We would like to have some days off this week," said Nolan Peterson, a Rock Ridge High School junior who addressed the board during public comment. Several parents and a second-grade teacher warned that a closure would force some classes to miss prebooked, nonrefundable activities; "our second graders are going to be missing out on an opportunity," Nicole Reed, a Parkview Elementary second-grade teacher, told the board.

Board members debated multiple options including closing only high school grades, splitting schedules so K–6 remained in session, offering daycare at district schools, excusing absences without penalty, and limiting closures to a single day. "There can only be so many teachers that can take a personal day at a time," one board member said during the discussion, noting substitute shortages and potential union grievances. Another board member proposed providing daycare for elementary students if the district closed for high-school events.

After several amended motions and a tie on one proposal, the board approved a motion to close Wednesday and Thursday for both elementary and high school by a narrow margin. The chair announced the motion passed with three votes in favor and two opposed. The board asked administration to provide childcare options where possible and to offer guidance to teachers and families about excused absences and instructional make-up work.

The board also directed staff to document attendance at the events and to report back on how many students participated. No additional formal budgetary commitments were made at the meeting; members emphasized they were attempting a temporary, short-term accommodation to support student participation and community support for teams.

The board’s decision takes effect immediately for the week in question; administration will publish implementation details for families, including whether elementary childcare will be offered and how absences will be recorded.