Proposed changes to the local school calendar for the 2012-13 school year will be on the agenda tomorrow night when the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school board meets in Nanaimo.
The board of education of School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) will meet Tues., April 10 at 6 p.m. in the board room at the District Administration Centre at 395 Wakesiah Ave. in Nanaimo to discuss a proposal to add an extra four days to spring break in March 2013.
Under the proposed local school calendar, spring break would be extended to the Easter weekend. Spring Break is scheduled for Mon., March 18 to Fri., March 22 next year. The proposed Local School Calendar in SD68 would add Mon., March 25 to Thurs., March 28 to the spring break. Good Friday is March 29 and Easter Monday is April 1.
The instructional time for those extra four days would be made up by extending each week in session by approximately 32 minutes in elementary schools and 35 minutes in secondary schools.
These changes are being considered primarily for budgetary reasons, according to the school district. A longer spring break is estimated to save the district $366,000 next year.
School trustees are expected to make a decision about the local school calendar during a special meeting April 18. The meeting is open to the public and is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the District Administration Centre.
Before then, parents can provide input on the proposal by completing an online survey on the school district's website up until April 12.
Parents can also write a letter to the Board of Education, School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), 395 Wakesiah Ave., Nanaimo, B.C., V9R 3K6, or send a letter by fax to 250-741-5309. All correspondence must be received by noon on April 13.