Board suspends proposed 10‑minute daily extension after teacher survey; asks staff for conditional plan

The Transylvania County Schools Board of Education voted April 20 to end the district’s current plan to add 10 minutes to each school day and directed the superintendent to develop a conditional policy that would add time only if specific thresholds are met.

Superintendent Dr. Fletcher told the board that 281 teachers responded to a district survey about how the district should recover instructional hours lost to inclement weather. “Eighty‑two point six percent said they prefer to wait and see whether makeup time is actually needed,” she said, while just 9.3% selected adding 10 minutes to the school day as their most preferred option. Citing that result, Dr. Fletcher recommended removing the 10‑minute extension and bringing back options with teachers’ input if makeup time becomes necessary.

Board members discussed a compromise approach that several described as a ‘trip point’ or conditional policy: the district would keep the regular schedule but identify specific conditions (for example, cumulative lost instructional hours or late‑season weather forecasts) that would trigger a temporary 10‑minute extension, rather than banking extra minutes in advance.

A board member moved to end the current 10‑minute addition immediately and suspend it for next year; the motion passed by voice vote. The board also reached consensus to direct Dr. Fletcher and staff to return with a formal plan that would not require an immediate vote if there is clear majority consensus, but would be brought back for board review before implementation.

Public commenters raised concerns about how the original 10‑minute proposal was adopted. David, a member of the public, told the board he felt the proposal reflected a pattern of making decisions “for families and teachers, not with them,” and linked that concern to declining enrollment. Dr. Fletcher acknowledged communication missteps earlier in the process and said staff had visited eight of nine schools to gather direct input.

The board’s action ends the current extension and establishes a staff directive to develop measurable conditions under which short‑term daily extensions would be activated. The superintendent said the district will notify principals and families about the timing and logistics once the board and staff finalize the approach.