By Brenda Sexton, The Courier-Herald
Making up snow days has become a complex issue for Enumclaw and White River school districts, especially when there are so many days to reschedule.
"It's a no-win situation," White River Superintendent Jay Hambly said.
Its been a scramble for school districts. And the biggest hope is, with several more weeks of winter looming, there won't be more cancellations.
Originally, districts toyed with eliminating mid-winter break in February, but many parents and staff members had already made plans. Also, some thought the dates fell too close to the three weeks schools missed in late December and early January.
Superintendents point out there are many factors to consider before a decision can be made. First there are the teachers' unions, which have a say in the school calendar and any changes made to it. Then there's graduation. Both high schools are currently locked into a date with the White River Amphitheatre. To change those days takes negotiation. There is also the issue of the senior class celebration after graduation. Parent groups sew up those dates well in advance.
Thankfully, WRHS and EHS's graduation invitations have not been ordered yet, so a change will not upset the apple cart.
Adding days to the end of the school year is looking like the best option.
Among Plateau area schools, the Enumclaw School District has the most days to reschedule - five - two from early December's wind storm and three from January's snow storm.
Washington state public schools are required to provide students with 180 days of education.
The last day of school in Enumclaw was scheduled for June 17. June 18 is listed as the only snow makeup day and graduation was set for June 14.
The Enumclaw School District is planning to turn Jan. 30, currently a non-school day, into a school day and tack the remainder of its makeup days to the end of the year. The new calendar will have students attending classes on June 18, 21, 22 and 23, with graduation set for June 21 at the White River Amphitheatre.
The school board is expected to approve the calendar changes Monday night at its regular meeting. The district sent letters home with students Thursday afternoon alerting them of the changes.
White River also is eyeing the end of the school year, but with so many to make up that isn't easy.
The last day of school for White River was set for June 18 with graduation scheduled for June 15.
White River has four days to fit into the current calendar, one for wind and three for snow. There were no snow days built into this year's calendar. District officials hope to have a plan later this week.
The Carbonado Historical School District didn't build any snow days into its calendar either, but will just tack the two it has to make up on to the end of the school year, extending it to June 15.
Enumclaw Seventh-day Adventist School is sitting in the best shape among private and public schools. The private school had built extra days into its calendar, begins its school year earlier than most and plans to dismiss students June 4.
Rainier Christian School, also a private school in Enumclaw, will add its missed days to the end of the school year, extending it now to June 16.
Gateway Christian School, associated with The Summit church, did not report changes at press time.
In other storm-related school news:
€ Enumclaw High School suffered structural and equipment water damage from a broken water pipe in its shop building.
€ White River's annex auditorium incurred water damage when a pipe burst.
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com
