Weston Modifies 2011-2012 School Calendar

After this past winter, Weston's educators are acting cautiously with an eye towards what Mother Nature might offer next year.

On Monday, the Weston Board of Education voted to alter the upcoming 2011-2012 school year calendar to begin two days earlier, on Tuesday, August 30, to allow for the possibility of another winter filled with heavy snow.

In the event that more than five snow days occur, school days will be reinstated beginning with the first day of spring break, April 16, 2012.

Interim Superintendent John Reed noted that school staff, administration, and parents will be able to plan for February vacations without being concerned that school days will be reinstated. April break plans are made at the risk of missing school.

This plan "lets you proceed with the expectation" of reliability, Reed noted. In the event April break days are taken back, a missed-days policy will be established by incoming Superintendent Colleen Palmer.

Reed also said that he wanted to dispel the notion that there are "a magic sprinkling" of snow days during the year. 

"Every school calendar has 180 days," he said.

The board also began outlining a plan to define a policy with regard to staff and administration use of social media sites such as Facebook.

"It's overdue," said Lewis Brey, Weston's director of human resources.

The policy seeks to spell out very clearly what the district will and will not tolerate.

"It's a very broad definition," Brey said. Postings should not "interfere or disrupt the work of the school district."

Brey added that Weston must walk the line between protecting First Amendment rights that guarantee free speech and protecting the district against personal attacks.

The issue will be revisited at the May 16 board meeting.