Schools consider eliminating February vacation

TAUNTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- It's been one of those winters, and as the snow piles up the closings pile on.

There have been three snow days so far in Boston; four in Lowell and Worcester; and five in Mendon and Lynnfield.

Chris Loycano's kids go to school in Bridgewater and he says, "I've had enough of it."

He says his kids have had four snow days and he hopes that there won't be anymore this year.

The law requires a minimum of 180 school days during an academic year and most communities tack on an extra five just to be safe. This winter five may not be enough. The lost time needs to be made up somehow. The options include longer school days, Saturday classes, and extending into the summer.

In Taunton, they decided to eliminate February vacation last year.

Longtime school committee member Christine Fagan says it was a difficult decision at the time, but it seems to make sense now.

"In hind sight, it was a great decision and you know what? There were parents, the superintendent did talk to a lot of parents, and a lot of parents were comfortable with it. You know, for the people that don't go places and stuff they were very comfortable with it," she said.

Several other communities are now also considering taking February school vacation off the books to bank the days, the thought is pay for the snow now or pay for it later.

Cox Media Group