School Has Been Bumped To End June 21

There have already been 5 school cancelations due to the snow for the Acton-Boxborough public schools. Many kids may have been excited to sleep in or relax on a day where they may have had an Algebra exam or an English paper due. Considering it is only the beginning of February and the state of Massachusetts declares that 180 school days must be completed by July 30, options are on the table.

Superintendant, Stephen Mills, recently released a public memo (released January 27) addressing concerns from the community about the process of calling school off due to snow. Mills has no intention of canceling February or April vacation to makeup the snow days.

“Conversations are coming up in the media about canceling February or April school vacations to make up for snow days,” wrote Mills in the public memo. “I fully understand that many of you plan months/ years in advance for family vacations during those weeks so I have no intention of recommending to the School Committees that either of those vacation weeks be canceled.”

When it comes to canceling school because of snow, Mills doesn’t just role out of bed and look to see if his driveway is covered. According to the Superintendants’ memo, Mills will get up at 4:00am and watch several local forecast and then call a professional meteorologist who specialized in the Metro/west Boston area. He then will speak with several of his colleagues about the situation and then speaks with the Director of Facilities, who has already spoken with Acton-Boxborough Highway Safety personnel.

“I understand that many families make plans for the last week in June including summer camps, vacations, etc.,” wrote Mills in the public memo. “Please know that given it is only late January, there is a distinct probability that we will have to go further into that week of June 20 to meet our legal obligation. I respectfully request that you plan accordingly now for that week.”

As of today, February 5, the last day of school for Acton-Boxborough has been bumped to June 21.