Below is the Board of Education Transportation Summary Letter.

Transportation Summary Letter

How many federal and state mandates required of public schools are NOT funded by the state and federal governemnts?

2009-2010 Mandates Report

 

Where do our towns rank in per pupil expenditure?

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/dgm/report1/cpse2009/nceadm.pdf

 

School Closure Days Make-up Summary
February 7, 2011

Superintendent’s Recommendation:

The original 2010-2011 Regional School District 17 School Calendar had the last day of the 2010-2011 school year as June 16, 2011.

The original 2010-2011 Regional School District 17 School Calendar did not show any “built-in” snow days.  The district simply adds a day at the end of June to account for any day where there is a school closing necessary.


As of February 7, 2011, the district has closed a total of seven (7) days due to snow-related weather. 

As of this date, June 21, 2011 (June 22, 2011 @ BES) will be maintained as the last day of classes by using the Winter Recess dates February 22, 2011 through February 25, 2011, excluding Monday, February 21st (Presidents Day holiday), as make-up dates.

If additional days are needed, “make-up” days will continue to be added to the end of the 2010 -2011 beginning with Wednesday, June 22, 2011 (Can’t use Monday, February 21 due to Presidents Day holiday and impact on other non-certified groups).

 

What was the rationale for the removal of the winter recess?

Rationale:

1. The number of instructional days between the Holiday Recess and February 7, 2011 has been dramatically reduced by the number of school closure days and/or school delays due to inclement weather.


2. A survey of staff revealed no discernable difference between the number of staff who have prearranged plans for either the Spring or Winter Recess which, if cancelled, would result in them experiencing a significant financial loss. 
3. A large number of parents and staff have requested that the make-up days be taken from the Winter Recess.


4. The unlikely response to a request made of the State Department of Education to delay the CMT / CAPT administration to later in the school year.  This year’s testing is scheduled to commence on March 9, 2011 and run through the balance of the month of March.


5. If there continues to be a need to schedule make-up days after using all of the Winter Recess dates, this decision would allow the district to add to the end of the school year beyond June 21st (June 22 for BES), but also it continues to make available the six days in June and the four days of the Spring Recess if needed (with continued extraordinary circumstances beyond the district’s control).


6. In any scenario for making up school closure days (Spring or Winter Recess), parents who have travel plans will continue to go regardless of when make-up dates are identified.


7. In any scenario for making up school closure days (Spring or Winter Recess), staff who have travel plans, which, if cancelled, would result in them experiencing a significant financial loss, may be allowed to go regardless of when make-up dates are identified.

 

Is there a maximum number of snow days a school can call?

No

 

Graduation is a long way off, but at what point do you finally decide to set the date in stone?

The date for graduation will be announced as s soon as we can “reasonably conclude that the inclement weather is no longer a possible threat.” Over the past seven years, this has been done in mid to late March.)

 

I heard/read somewhere that all 180 school days must be completed before June 30th per state law.  Is that accurate?

Yes

 

Don't kids at BES already have to attend extra days because of the beginning of the year flood situation?

Yes

 

What impact does snow have on the school budget?

It hurts because of increased overtime costs for district staff, securing outside services to complete large-scale snow removal due to excessive amounts being piled which leads to visual obstructions in parking lots, at entrances to schools etc.

 

How has the inclement weather impacted overtime and payroll?

There is likely to be cost overruns in both areas.

 

 

How is the decision made to cancel schools?

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 17
SNOW CANCELLATION PROCEDURES

• Director of Facilities calls dispatch to receive reports from State Police and Public Works
• Superintendent consults with Director of Transportation or designee
• Superintendent consults with Director Fiscal Operations as needed
• Superintendent consults with Region 13, Clinton, East Haddam, Region 4 and Middletown
• Superintendent consults with Director of Facilities
• Superintendent reviews weather conditions using local and area media services
• Superintendent makes decision using all available information

 

DECISION IS MADE BETWEEN 5:00 A.M. & 5:30 A.M.

OPTIONS

Open – Regular School
Two (2) Hour Delay
Closed

• Superintendent Initiates Honeywell Instant Alert Message via District Technology Manager
• Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent calls local media
• Superintendent initiates use of call chain

 

EARLY CLOSING PROCEDURES

• Superintendent or Director of Facilities calls dispatch to receive reports from State Police and Public Works
• Superintendent consults with Region 13, East Haddam, Clinton, Region 4 and Middletown
• Superintendent consults with Director of Transportation or designee
• Superintendent and Director of Facilities to review weather conditions using local and area media services
• Superintendent makes decision using all available information.

DECISION IS MADE

• Superintendent or Director of Transportation or designee calls dispatch to report decision
• Superintendent Initiates Honeywell Instant Alert Message via District Technology Manager
• Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent calls local media
• Superintendent initiates use of call chain

 

NOTE:  A decision to dismiss early will only be used when the threat of weather is predicable and probable.  The logic here is as follows:

• In some cases, we would be dismissing students during the height of road crews completing the treatment of the roads.  It is always best to wait until treatments are completed to a certain level.

In some cases, we would be sending students home without anyone home and without advanced notice.  We respect the fact that many people work away from their homes.