The Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District is asking for public input as it looks at a longer spring break for the 2012-13 school year.
At a special meeting of the School District 68 board of education on Wednesday evening, trustees decided they would consult on a revision to the local school calendar for 2012-13 that would extend spring break by four days, according to a news report from the school district.
Under the proposed local school calendar, spring break would be extended to the Easter weekend. Spring Break is scheduled for March 18-22 next year, and the proposed calendar would add March 25-28 to the spring break. Good Friday is March 29, and Easter Monday is April 1.
The instructional time for those extra four days would be made up by extending each week in session by approximately 32 minutes in elementary schools and 35 minutes in secondary schools.
These changes are being considered primarily for budgetary reasons, according to the report. It is estimated that about $366,000 can be saved next year as a result of a longer spring break.
The board of education is now asking for input from parents, students, employees and partner groups.
Input can be given through an online survey, which will be available until April 12. Anyone interested in providing feedback can also write a letter to the Board of Education, School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), 395 Wakesiah Ave., Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 3K6 or fax a letter to 250-741-5309. All correspondence must be received by noon on April 13.
The board of education will hold a meeting April 10 at 6 p.m. at the NDSS gymnasium to receive presentations about the 2012-13 budget and the proposed local school calendar. To make a presentation contact Cathy Kelt at 250-741-5238 or ckelt@sd68.bc.ca by noon on April 5.
The board is expected to make a decision about whether or not to implement the proposed changes to the local school calendar during a special meeting April 18 at 6 p.m. in the District Administration Centre at 395 Wakesiah Ave. in Nanaimo. The meeting is open to the public.
