Wall extends school year while neighboring town eyes nixing February break

The Board of Education on its website Wednesday night announced the school year will be extended by a day because of the number of snow days that have been used already this winter.

“As a result of the number of snow days used for inclement weather, the last day of school  has been moved to Wednesday, June 22, 2011,’’ the message reads.

No further information is given.

Previously, the last day for pupils was June 21, according to the district’s calendar.

Schools Superintendent James F. Habel did not return a phone call requesting comment Thursday morning.

The announcement comes two weeks before the district will let out for a week-long Winter Break. The district will be shut Feb. 14 -21, according to the district's calendar. The sixth day of the closure, Feb. 20, is the President's Day holiday.

A winter break is a common practice among some public school districts. But it is being eyed for elimination by one area school system.

The Spring Lake Board of Education, upon the urging of some parents, is looking at the possibility of eliminating the practice, Spring Lake schools Business Administrator Debra Allen said Thursday.

"It is something that the board is considering for next year,'' Allen said. 

But, she said, no decision has been made and the discussions are as yet preliminary.