The increasing number of school cancellations and delays for the Atlantic School District will likely mean changes to the current school year calendar. Superintendent Steve Barber, Wednesday evening, said administrators determined students had missed six full school days due to the weather, and currently have put-in 1054.5-hours. There are 25.5-hours that need to be made-up for missed days and hours.

Barber said they talked with the Calendar Committee. He said there’s six teacher days included in the make-up time frame, and the tentative plan to make those days good won’t be finalized until the Board’s next meeting on March 13th, taking into consideration any necessary snow days between now and then.

Barber said the planned make-good days include the Friday before Memorial Day, along with the Tuesday and Wednesday after Memorial Day. In addition, they may consider using Good Friday – which is traditionally an “off” day – used as a make-good for missed days, which gets the district closer to the required Instructional Hours. Still to be determined is how to fit-in two teacher Professional Development (PD) days.  A contingent plan would be to take a couple of PD days (during which there is reduced hours), but Barber says he’s “Not ready to go there yet.” All plans are subject to change as we move through the winter.

In other news, Aaron Thomas, the son of slain Parkersburg High School Football and Hall of Fame Football Coach Ed Thomas, will speak 10-a.m. Friday, March 22nd, in the Atlantic High School Gym. His presentation is directed at Middle and High School Students, but is open to the public. The faith-based family forgave one of Ed Thomas’ former players who shot and killed him June 24th, 2009. Aaron Thomas will recount the story of Ed Thomas’ career and how the family and community dealt with the tragic event. The Ed Thomas Foundation, which was established by his wife and two sons, is based on his priorities of Faith, Family, Character and Integrity.

Superintendent Barber reminded the Board also, that: The bond referendum special election early voting begins March 4th; The end of the 3rd Quarter is March 8th; A Public Hearing on the School Calendar will take place during the Board’s regular meeting 5:30-p.m. March 13th; Parent Teacher Conferences are March 13th and 14th, and there is no school March 14th, 15th, 18th & 19th.