Storm days slightly alter SAD 1 calendar
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — With Sunday being the first day of spring, many people are looking forward to better weather and green grass. Though less snow has fallen this winter than last, SAD 1 has already had two storm days which has pushed back the last day of school.
With school being cancelled last Monday and Dec. 6, 2010, the last student day for grades K-8 is now tentatively Friday, June 10, while at Presque Isle High School the last day is set for Friday, June 17. Commencement exercises at PIHS will remain unchanged. Graduation will be held Friday, June 10.
Superintendent Gehrig Johnson explained that district schools were originally scheduled to be closed Friday, Feb. 4 for a teacher in-service day; however, directors modified the schedule to allow students to attend the E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon races that were held at the Nordic Heritage Sport Club.
“Though over 500 students attended the biathlon as a field trip, it was still considered a school day, and the majority of our students were in session,” said Johnson. “Because of the calendar change on Feb. 4, the last day of school is, at the moment, pushed back one day at the end of the year instead of two.”
There have been two early release days so far this year — Feb. 14 and Feb. 28.
Typically central Aroostook school systems experiencing the same weather conditions will close school as a group.
“The central Aroostook superintendents consult between 4:30-5 a.m. if it’s snowing to the point that there could be a possible cancellation,” said Johnson. “Because many of our school districts share vocational students, our schedules are connected, and we work together to make a decision.”
As the remainder of the snow season winds down, parents will be contacted as to the last official school day.
Interestingly, there were no storm days last year in SAD 1.
