By Ed Birch, Special Writer
The South Brunswick Board of Education unanimously approved changes in the 2012-13 district school calendar Monday night that will add instructional days due to Hurricane Sandy.
These changes were caused by school closings forced by the damage caused when the storm hit the district Oct. 29.
Sandy toppled hundreds of trees in the township, causing major power outages that closed most of the district schools for several days.
The storm also closed many township roads, making it difficult to get district facilities operating with the required staffing levels and safety of staff and children.
”All district schools were closed for six days during the hurricane,” Superintendent Gary McCartney said. “In addition to that, Brunswick Acres, Brooks Crossing and Cambridge schools were also closed for an additional day,”
Mr. McCartney praised the staff and supervisors who devised a plan to combine schools and instruction to save additional days that would have been necessary while some schools still were without power in the storm’s aftermath.
The plan approved by the board Monday night is detailed as follows:
• Two additional instructional days were gained by opening district schools Nov. 8-9.
These days were gained back after the New Jersey Educational Association cancelled its annual convention that was to be held in Atlantic City.
• Three days, previously labeled as tentative closing days should no inclement weather exist, now are designated as regular instruction days.
Therefore, school will be in session April 1, May 24 and May28..
• The originally approved school calendar allows for 181 days of instruction.
The state requirement for any school year is 180 instructional days. One day in the present calendar will be changed to a professional development day.
• Students enrolled at Brunswick Acres, Brooks Crossing and Cambridge Schools will have a complete day of instruction March 15.
• In addition, should any winter weather condition require school closings, the district is putting parents on notice that the following dates, presently designated as vacation days, will be used as makeup days: March 25, March 26 and March 27.
Mr. McCartney said the superintendent’s office will issue a communication to all district staff, students, and parents to put everyone on notice of the changes.
