Schools
Salisbury School Year to End Later, Possibly Start Earlier
Salisbury school year to end June 18 to correct calculation error, but earlier start being considered for next year.
Salisbury Township School District students could start their next year, changing the traditional sunset on summer from the long holiday weekend -- one that many other area school districts have already relinquished.
The start date for the 2012-13 school year is one of two calendar changes in the works for Salisbury staff and students.
On Wednesday, the school board voted to push back by five days the last day of school in the Salisbury Township School District this year due to a calculation error.
The 2011-12 academic calendar was revised to make June 18 the last day of school if all five snow days are used. It was originally June 12.
Assistant Superintendent Louise Beauchemin said the calendar had to be changed to meet the state requirement for 180 school days.
At the school board's curriculum meeting later this month, board members will discuss bringing students back to school on Monday, Aug. 27. Labor Day is Sept. 3.
Beauchemin said she surveyed area school districts and found that all five Carbon County school districts, five Northampton County school districts and two Lehigh County school districts have already approved a pre-Labor Day start date for next year. Saucon Valley is the only Northampton County school district that has not. Seven other Lehigh County districts are considering it, she said.
The change, which would not be voted on until the board's November regular meeting, would give students a four-day week for their first week back with Friday, Aug. 31 off to maintain a long Labor Day weekend.
The school board's curriculum committee meeting, where the calendar change will be discussed, will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 in the administration building.