Graduation on Saturday?
Proposed post-Labor Day start of school
By JOYCE F. NOWELL Echo Pilot

Hoover

Graduation in Greencastle Antrim on Saturday?

That could become reality if a calendar proposal is approved by the school board at its March 20 meeting.

Superintendent C. Gregory Hoover broached the possibility last week with board members during discussions of the 2008-2009 school calendar.

Hoover said while Aug. 25 would be the normal start date for the school year, other districts in the county were not starting until Sept. 2 because of construction going on in those areas. The Franklin County Career and Technology Center will also follow that schedule.

"I'm reluctant because I feel education is better in August than in June," explained Hoover, who also admitted that it would cause problems for G-A to be on a different schedule than the center.

Under Hoover's current calendar proposal, the school year would run from Sept. 2 to June 11 with holiday vacations in October, November and December. At the high school level, the second semester would begin Jan. 27. Breaks would be given in February, March and April. There would be four built-in snow days, including an addon at the end of June 12.

"With the possibility of going until June 12, the big change to this calendar would be a proposal for a Saturday, June 13, graduation," Hoover said.

"There could be advantages. With a late morning graduation (11 a.m.) on Saturday you eliminate the threat of thunderstorms that always seem to be a problem with the evening ceremony. This would eliminate that. Also it would be easier when it comes to people traveling from out of town."

District administrators have polled students and parents about the possibility and the majority were in favor.

"Saturday becomes a pretty neat time," said Hoover. "We think this will be a nice asset."

Hoover added that the idea of Saturday graduation would not be ruled out for this year.

Board member Charles T. McClain said he liked the idea of Saturday graduation, but not the proposed start of the school year after Labor Day and changing the norm for something that affects 30 students.

Hoover said that officials looked at a number of different alternatives, however it couldn't work without following the center's schedule.

"I don't know any other way around it," said Hoover.

"It's not the best calendar, but it's the best we can do with the situation."

Middle school study

The board approved the participation of the middle school in a national Monitoring the Future (MTF) study.

Mark Herman, middle school principal, explained that the school is one of 150 chosen nationally to participate. The study will focus on eighthgraders and the school will receive a $1,000 stipend for administering the study.

"We will learn things about our students collectively," said Herman of the two-year commitment. "Families have the choice to opt their children out of the study.

"I'm very supportive of the study and what it will show us."

Herman said the study is aimed at predicting educational plans, occupational plans and indicative how students are using their time and issues of their health.

He said, "It will show us where this generation is going."

Other business

In a personnel issue, the board approved the addition of an Elementary Attendance Secretary position.

"The elementary office is probably one of the busiest offices in the district," explained Hoover. "Just the work we have in the office with the special education has grown in leaps and bounds.

"There is money in the budget to cover it."

The board also approved new policies for Gifts, Grants and Donations and Donations for Naming.

The meeting also included discussion of the future of the FCCTC and graduation requirements being proposed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education.