Bridgewater Takes Back Feb. 12 For Snow Possibility

Bridgewater, NJ -- Worried about not having enough snow days for the rest of the winter, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education voted to take back a school day, Feb. 12.

Feb. 12 was originally scheduled on the school calendar as a day off but with the vote the day is back on the calendar as an instructional day.

The vote came after Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Interim Superintendent Dr. Daniel Silvia made the recommendation.

“We have already used a snow day twice and only have one snow day left,” Silvia said. “We still have lots of winter days and I would feel more comfortable with two days versus one.”

Silvia suggested the board take back Feb. 12 so as not to disrupt Spring Break.

However, some board members had concerns about the timing of the decision.

“I am worried that we are about barely two weeks out and people may have scheduled things,” said board member Melanie Thiesse. “I am not sure if it’s a good idea for a good giveback day.”

Board Vice President Jill Gladstone also pointed to the language the board had originally attached to the take back of days.

The wording says the board would take back school calendar days if “in excess of three days are used.” The district so far has only used two, leaving them with one snow day left.

“It’s a matter of trust,” Gladstone said. “I wanted to support this then when I saw the three days it looks like we are not a board of our word, and we are. It looks like we have too much power.”

Board members discussed the issue at length and were left split in decision. Board members Gladstone, Thiesse and Lynne Hurley voted no.

While board members Jeffrey Brookner, Lisa Weinstock and Barry Walker voting yes.

Board President Ann Marie Mead broke the tie with her yes vote to take back the day.

“My reason being is if we had another snow day, we would have to take from Spring Break and it would be in the best interest to the school district,” Mead said. “I don’t mean to be disingenuous.”