Special Services School OKs Make-up Snow Days

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County Schools for Special Services held its March 18 meeting to address a variety of topics, including policy and administrative issues, financial and personnel issues, and the presentation of various administrative reports.
Superintendent Barbara J. Makoski addressed the issue of snow days before the board since the district exceeded its quota of snow days. “It is a necessity to change our school calendar due to snow days. We have to conform to a 180-day school year. We have three snow days built into the school year, but we’ve used five days,” she said. “We need to make up two student days. April 21 will be used as a professional day. June 25 will be the last day of school for students,” Makoski explained.
The school district revised the schedule so that June 23 and June 24 will be full school days for students. Although June 25 will be the last school day for students, it is scheduled as an early dismissal day.
The New Jersey School Boards Association realized that since so many school districts had to cancel school days this winter due to snow and inclement weather, all snow days must be made up in accordance with the law.
A school district in New Jersey must be open for students 180 days according to N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9 in order to receive state aid. Under state law, the 180-day requirement must be completed by June 30 of the school year.
The board approved and accepted several grants, contracts, and agreements. It renewed a transportation contract with Sheppard Bus Service and Great American Trolley as well as an affiliate agreement for a Clinical Education Experience with Misericordia University.
The board also applied for a Department of Human Services Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Grant. In addition, the board resolved to approve and accept the amended school calendar to account for the school closings due to winter weather. The board approved the Avalon Rescue Squad program to provide CPR/AED training as well.
In addition, the board accepted the superintendent’s recommendation for various educational positions through June 30, as well as a resolution to keep revised Criminal History and Background Check procedures. It accepted the retirement of a staff member and acknowledged several published articles in the newspaper concerning the school district. The board will hold its next meeting April 22 at 4 p.m.
To contact Harris, email tharris@cmcherald.com.