Board Opts to Close Schools on Election Day

Paramus schools will be closed on  Election Day this year.

After much discussion Monday night, the board decided it would be best to close school on Tuesday, Nov. 6 rather than conduct a minimum session, or half-day as was originally the plan.

A large turnout is expected at the polls for this Presidential election which will likely impact traffic near the schools, and overcrowd parking lots, which could make for a potentially unsafe situation for the students, board members stated.

Superintendent Ken Rota said the administration would begin notifying parents of the change to the school calendar this week so they have time to make arrangements for that day.

There were some concerns among board members that closing that day could result in somewhat of a “lost week” as there will be no school on the Thursday and Friday of that same week due to the New Jersey Education Association convention. However board members believed that safety could be an issue on Election Day and the majority opted to close.

The rest of the school calendar should not be affected by this change. Rota explained that 185 days are scheduled for the school year and therefore taking a way one day should not be an issue. An issue would only arise if the district were impacted by a severe winter in which case scheduled days off in April would be used to make up for additional snow days.

Historically Paramus Schools have been closed on Election Day on Presidential election years, Rota said.