No one wants to repeat one of the most unpopular decisions in Jordan School District's history. So officials this week asked the board of education to make up days missed because of bad weather on President's Day or spring break holidays.
Any day but Saturday, Jordan staffers pleaded.As the district found out, Saturday school isn't acceptable to parents, teachers or students, said Patty Dahl, the district's spokeswoman. "It was extremely, extremely unpopular."
A loud gnashing of teeth followed Jordan's decision to make up a snow day on Saturday, Feb. 10. The outcry left officials interested in another alternative if the situation comes up next year.
Parents said they hated the school-on-Saturday idea, and most students didn't come. As few as 15 percent of students showed up in some schools, although 20 to 30 percent was about average, Dahl said. Granite School District also held its makeup day on a Saturday but had better attendance.
"The biggest complaint was that it was unexpected," said Dahl. "This process gives everyone the opportunity to plan so they know just what will happen in those situations."
Periodically, a district closes schools because of heavy snow or other safety concerns. Jordan's revised schedule includes makeup options for both traditional and year-round schools, Earl Stuker, director of administrative services told the board.
Revisions to the calendar stipulate that if school is closed for one day, students will make up time on President's Day. If it's closed another day or two, that time will be made up during spring recess. Longer closures will be made up at the end of the school year.
The board will vote on the revised 1996-1997 calendar March 26.