Spring Break Days Restored For PG County Schools

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — After Maryland lawmakers rushed through an emergency bill to let school systems extend their school year, the Prince George's County school board approved a measure to extend spring break throughout the week of April 2. Closures because of winter weather had forced the system to revoke one day from spring break, and students faced the prospect of being in school next Friday, April 6, to offset a snow day. That would have thrown a monkey wrench into families' spring break travel plans, particularly if they were hoping to extend a vacation into that weekend.

Schools closed for the fifth time on March 22 when snow and ice swept through the area. The school board on Thursday night unanimously approved a motion to fully restore spring break and close schools next week. Students will return to school on Monday, April 9.

State legislation put forward by Sen. Nancy J. King would allow school systems to extend the school year five days beyond June 15, the current last day for students, without receiving a waiver from the state Board of Education. Gov. Larry Hogan has said he will sign the law as soon as the Senate adopts it on Friday. The law will allow Prince George’s County Public Schools more options to meet state requirements for the number of hours and days for students.

“Our students, employees and their families appreciate the Board’s action and the state’s willingness to add flexibility to the school calendar,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer, in a news release.

Five inclement weather makeup days were built into the 2017-2018 school calendar, including two at the end of fourth quarter (June 14 and 15); one on the Feb. 9 professional development day; and two during spring break (April 5 and 6).

PGCPS plans to extend the school year to June 20 rather than open schools on April 4, 5 and 6. The bill that passed in Annapolis this week does not change the post-Labor day start for schools.

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