From the Superintendent - January 2010
District Mission Statement: Students are the purpose for which the schools exist—our duty is to serve their needs.
Parents, Patrons, Staff and Students!
It is but another decade of fun! There has been much conversation regarding the plethora of snow this winter and that most haven’t seen a winter like this since the 70’s. As a child, I remember having a winter long snow season and being drifted in the house for days at a time 
before the snow plow could get down our road. We were generally out of electricity for those days and it was a good thing that we had wood heat in the house or we would have really frozen to death.
I was told that in 2003 we had a record high of 70 degrees in January. I don’t think that will happen this year. We did transition into the year with a “blue moon” though. It's a once in a generation thing, a special astronomical happening that reminds us that while life is highly unpredictable, the heavens are not. Did you notice the “blue” moon on New Year’s Eve? No, the moon was not the color of blue but, was considered blue because of having two full moons in one month.
The “blue moons” are probably similar to having the kind of winter that we are having this year. Not a normal occurrence. We do often have snow days that cause a cancelation of school but, for the most part, the days are limited to just a few each year. According to how the season has begun and what some of the forecasts are showing, we may end up having a few more snow days.
Several people have asked how many days we may have to make up or do we have to make up any of the days that were missed due to the snow? The state department requires students to attend 1116 hours of school instruction each school year. Even though our school year is determined by total number of days, the state reports are determined by the number of hours students attend school. The teachers negotiate contracts with the school board each year and part of the contract entails the total number of days they will provide instruction for students. The current contract states that 3 snow days will be forgiven and days beyond that will be made up at another time during the year.
Looking at the school calendar that was developed at the beginning of the year, it is noted that the make up days will be added at the end of the year or at another time as scheduled. It is difficult to predict how many additional snow days, if any, that we will have this year. Just like the “blue moon”, this year’s amount of snow is one of those rare occurrences that we will work through.
It is very difficult to know when to call off school or activities because as soon as you make a decision the weather seems to change and then everyone questions your decision. There are actually several individuals that provide input prior to making the decision and the decision is based upon the entire district not just certain areas as we have students attending from across the county. Our intentions are for the safety of all.
Be sure to keep warm and try to enjoy the snow because it doesn’t appear to be leaving soon!
Troy Damman
Superintendent
