School board cuts spring break

By Danielle Strenke
With support from the North Branch teacherís union, the North Branch School Board adopted the 2003-04 school calendar at its Feb. 13 meeting with one thing missing - spring break.
The board reviewed three calendar options for the upcoming school year. One of those had no week-long vacation in March.
Teacherís union representative Chas Bettendorf said many of the teachers wanted to remove the break from the school schedule so the school year would end the first week of June, instead of the second week.
ìWe have challenges this year getting out the second week of June,î he said. ìSome teachers can't enroll in graduate classes.
ìAnd if youíve ever been on the second floor of the Main Street School on a humid June day you know that is a concern as well.î
Bettendorf said despite having a week off of school in March, many parents are taking family vacations during other times of the year.
ìI signed several permission slips just last week for kids going on vacation now,î he said.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Stepaniak said another option that the board considered for a calendar is very similar to the current school year, but he wanted to be able to present several different options.
ìYou get a lot of different opinions about the calendar no matter what,î he said.
Bettendorf suggested alternating years with one year having no spring break and the next adding it back in to the calendar.
The 2003-04 calendar will include a 4-day weekend in March, as well as adding a holiday in February and April to make two, three-day weekends.
By eliminating spring break, the last day of school will be moved up to June 3, three days after Memorial Day.
It also includes two built-in snow days: March 5 and April 12.
If snow does not force the district to close school during next winter, those two days will be vacation days as well.
Board member Kim Salo said she knew some parents waited for the school calendar to come out before planning their vacations so students wouldnít miss any school.
Other board members argued that many families need to plan vacations around the parent's work schedules before considering the school calendar.
ìThis calendar gives them more options to take vacation and the student may not miss as much school,î Donna Setter said.
Board chairman Mary Jo Ahlgren said going into the second week of June is too late for the school year.
ìI don't think they should be in school until June 9, people are ready for vacation by then,î she said.
Also during the meeting, state Sen. Sean Nienow addressed the board saying the current legislative session would be one of tough decisions concerning the state budget.
ìNo one will walk away from the session smiling and clapping,î he told the board. ìI know some votes Iíll have to make I wonít like.î
Nienow said he has heard constituents say they hope cuts are fair and equitable across all budget items.
Nienow said decisions on cuts to education are still up in the air and the issue is before the education committee.
ìThe governor is sincere about being careful with education, but it wonít go unscathed,î he said.
The board approved a motion to direct Stepaniak and administrators to look at programs that can stand some cuts.
Recommendations are expected to be presented at a special work session scheduled for Feb. 27.

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