School to Start ‘As Late As Possible,’ District Seeks Feedback on Shorter Break

The Fort Lee School district announced this week that the 2012-2013 school year is going to start “as late as possible” in order to accommodate construction work during the summer months—the result of Fort Lee voters in January—and school officials are seeking feedback from stakeholders as to when they would like to see that time made up.

“We must shorten one of the breaks historically included in the annual school calendar,” officials said in a statement posted on the school district’s website.

School opens on Sept. 10, 2012, according to the 2012-2013 school calendar, which the approved Monday. The calendar includes just one day off— Presidents Day on Feb. 18, 2013—during the week of Feb. 18-22, when students have traditionally enjoyed an entire week.

“This was designed to allow for appropriately spaced breaks throughout the year,” officials said.

However, “as a courtesy,” the school board is inviting “stakeholders to make certain that the decision was in agreement with the feeling of the school community” by taking a poll.

The question: “Which break would you prefer we shorten in 2012-2013?”

School officials note however that if the they shorten spring recess, which is a full week—April 1-5, 2013—on the calendar approved by the BOE Monday, that would leave only two days two days off from March through June (Memorial Day is May 27, 2013).

The survey needs to be completed by Friday, April 27, 2012.

To view the 2012-2013 school calendar approved by the school board Monday, click here. To take the survey, click here, or visit the school district’s website.

Do you think the BOE’s decision to shorten the February break as opposed to the April break was the right one? Or do you see merits in shortening spring recess instead?