“We hoped to make up one of our missed school days on Saturday,” said Dr. Anne Garrett, superintendent of Haywood County Schools. “However, a number of factors make that very impractical.”

“Significant run-off from recent snows and predicted temperatures in the upper teens will lead to black ice on roads in the school district. Since Saturday was scheduled to end at noon, it is impractical to have a two or three hour delay and then dismiss at noon as previously announced,” said associate superintendent, Bill Nolte.

Several other factors played into the school district dismissing Saturday school. Two school communities, Pisgah High School and Bethel Middle School are scheduled for maintenance-related power outages on Saturday. This was scheduled by the power company months in advance. The maintenance includes several dozen utility trucks on the roads beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning. If school were held at some schools, but not all schools on Saturday, this would set up different make up days, different testing schedules for schools across the district. It would also increase transportation costs if schools make up missed snow days on different dates.

With Saturday school cancelled, employees should refer to the email they received on Thursday morning for guidance on making up missed work. The email included the following:

All ten-month employees (certified, licensed, classified and hourly)

  • Ten-month employees should NOT work on the “no day” (unless directed to do so by his or her principal/director).
  • Ten-month employees will make up Tuesday, February 24, 2015:
    • During Saturday School (student day) on Saturday, February 28, 2015
    • Or, if weather does not permit Saturday school, this day will be made up on a student day later in the school calendar.
  • Ten-month employees will make up Thursday, February 26, 2015 on a student day later in the school calendar.

All eleven and twelve month employees (certified, licensed, classified and hourly)

  • Eleven and twelve month employees cannot make up Tuesday, February 24 and Thursday, February 26, 2015 on student days later in the calendar because they are already under contract to work those days (cannot get credit for working two days on one work day). Therefore eleven and twelve month employees should make up the two “no days” as follows:
  • Eleven and twelve month employees will make up Tuesday, February 24, 2015 by working on Saturday, February 28, 2015 (student day or non-student day). Or, if weather does not permit Saturday School/work, the employee may take accumulated annual leave for Tuesday, February 24, 2015.
  • Eleven and twelve month employees will make up Thursday, February 26, 2015 by working on Thursday, February 26, 2015 or by taking accumulated annual leave for Thursday, February 26, 2015.

Staff should check with their principal, director or supervisor if they have questions that are not answered in this communication.

Haywood County Schools averages just over 8 missed student days each year due to inclement weather. Thus far, we have missed 8 days this school year. We will adjust the calendar next week and post it on the website for public information.

Contact: Dr. Bill Nolte, Associate Superintendent

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