
SEYMOUR — The Board of Education during its virtual meeting on Monday voted against a recommendation by Superintendent of Schools Michael Wilson to turn some snow days into remote learning days.
The board voted 8 – 1 against granting two traditional snow days as needed for inclement weather and to use remote learning days for any further needed snow days. Board member Jay Hatfield cast the sole ‘yes’ vote.
The state Board of Education in October voted to allow all school districts to treat weather-related closings as remote learning days if they so choose for the 2020 – 2021 school year.
Seymour school board members, and many parents alike, agreed that so much has been taken away from students this year, due to the ongoing pandemic, that snow days should be left alone.
In an email read aloud to the board, parent Richard Demko, who also serves as Chairman of Seymour’s Republican Town Committee, urged the board to back off on snow days.
“I am voicing my absolute opposition in regards to snow days being replaced by distance learning days,” Demko said.”I strongly feel that this is not the time to be introducing another change to whatever normalcy that our children have left, especially considering that they have already sacrificed enough throughout this pandemic. Our children need something positive and exciting to look forward to, as days off from school due to weather is an exciting part of winter. This change is something that is completely unnecessary to impose on our children and parents at this time.”
Demko added that when things eventually return to normal, and students and staff are back in the classroom in-person five days a week, the snow day proposal could be reconsidered.
Seymour schools started the year in September on a hybrid schedule, but have since transitioned to fully remote learning, effective until Jan. 19.
Parent Julie Nintzel, at the board’s Nov. 2 meeting, expressed her thoughts about ditching snow days in an email to the board.
“There is a reason the schools have always been closed on snow days,” she said. “Teachers and school staff are homeowners. They along with the students, parents and sometimes the kids themselves have to be outside, engaged in snow and ice removal and cleanup. It isn’t merely a case of log-on from a chrome book at home. It isn’t merely a day to go sledding. Inclement weather almost always causes extenuating circumstances that should cancel classes to the next day. Classes should be canceled on snow days, the way it has always been.”
Associate Superintendent of Schools Vonda Tencza said if the recommendation was approved, the first two times it snowed, where it was bad enough to call school off, those would remain traditional snow days. From then on, a third, fourth or fifth snow day and so on would’ve become remote learning days.
“You can’t put a formula on the weather,” said board member Kristen Bruno.
Board member Kristen Harmeling agreed.
“I don’t understand why we would lock ourselves in like this,” Harmeling said. “We have had enough change, let’s just leave it be. If we wouldn’t have gone to school, it’s a snow day. We just don’t need any more change.”
In nearby Derby, Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway said a survey has been sent to parents and staff gauging their thoughts on snow days. Neighboring Ansonia schools have opted to use remote learning days on snow days, according to Superintendent of Schools Joseph DiBacco, but “we have also left the door open for a traditional snow day to allow kids, families and staff to enjoy the day.”