by Larry Chowning –
The Middlesex County School Board heard parents’ concerns Monday at the board’s regular monthly meeting on whether to open school prior to Labor Day and to add four days to the 2020-21 school calendar year.
School officials have discussed moving the opening day of the 2020-21 school year to Monday, August 24, and add four days at the end of the year to expand the school year from 176 to 180 of instructional days.
Lancaster, Gloucester and King and Queen school officials are considering opening their schools before Labor Day, but the Mathews County School Board has already voted to turn down the proposal.
The Virginia General Assembly approved legislation in July to allow school divisions to open school 14 calendar days before Labor Day, but must allow students off on the Friday before Labor Day and Labor Day Monday.
Middlesex School Superintendent Dr. Peter Gretz said the matter is still under study and no decisions or proposals have been made to the school board. “Right now, we are considering all suggestions,” he said.
