School board votes to close schools for students April 21, with superintendent allowed to convert to virtual makeup day if needed

The Franklin County School Board voted to close school for students on April 21 in anticipation of heavy turnout for a special election at school polling locations, with the superintendent given discretion to convert the day into a virtual makeup day later if the district needs instructional hours.

Superintendent Dr. Sears explained that a special election tied to redistricting could draw heavy adult turnout at schools used as polling places and proposed a student closure with staff reporting to work; he also noted the division had used a similar approach for prior special elections. Board members debated alternatives — outright closure, converting to a virtual day, or cancelling and making the hours up later — raising concerns about SOL testing windows, families’ childcare needs, teachers’ schedules and whether the district had sufficient banked instruction days.

One board member proposed closing schools for students with the superintendent’s discretion to use the day as a virtual makeup if hours need to be recovered; another suggested approving closure now but revisiting in April. The board ultimately approved a motion to close schools for students on April 21, with the option to use the day later as a virtual makeup day for instructional hours if necessary. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote.

The board directed staff to notify families and to revisit the calendar at the next meeting if circumstances change.