South Huntington Schools Alter Calendar

The South Huntington school district is exchanging most of its winter vacation to make up for classroom time lost to Hurricane Sandy and a nor'easter.

The Board of Education voted Wednesday night to ensure the district could meet the required 180-day classroom minimum set by the state. Though the district's calendar called for 185 days, the schools were closed by the two storms for nine days. Loss of power and bus transportation routes over uncleared streets were two main issues for the district.

"At this point we need to be able to get back to the state and district number," said Dr. David Bennardo, superintendent of South Huntington schools. "We  looked at our district calender and decided on which days would be best to make up for lost school time.

"These changes will allow us to meet the current New York State minimum, regain important instruction, and preserve a few days for winter snow emergencies," he said.

The changes include:

Eliminating vacation time from Feb. 19-22, excluding Feb. 18, which is Presidents Day

Restoring April 1 as a full day of school

Eliminating May 24, the Friday before Memorial Day, as a day off

"Nothing is set in stone yet because we still need to see if the State Education Department wiil waive certain days and if they do we might have to reconsider which days we choose to have school," Bennardo said.

The State Education Department has the right to waive 5 possible school days.