For school staff and most parents, there has been enough snow this winter and are hoping they’ve seen the last–at least on week days.

The harsher than usual winter weather, as of to date, has caused classes in the Clinton County School District to be canceled some 16 and one-half days. That scenario, not only in Clinton County but statewide, is seeing school boards scramble to revise school calendars.

The Clinton County School Board did just that at its monthly meeting Monday night, as it adopted a tentative amended school calendar. The amended version will see increased days and hours of classroom activity. However, it will all be kept within the month of May and the closing date is still scheduled prior to Memorial Day on May 30.

After a meeting with administrators and staff, Superintendent Mickey McFall presented the amendment to the current 2010-11 calendar for the board to consider. And, following some discussion, the board opted to approve the amended version as presented.

The school district will make up the days missed as follows:

* Students will attend class on President’s Day next Monday, February 21.

* Three days of Spring Break, Monday through Wednesday, March 28-30 will be instructional days for students.

* From a period of March 21 through the end of April, school days will be extended by 34 minutes, saving two and-a-half days.

* Ten days will be added to the end of the school year–from May 13 (the original closing day) to Friday, May 27.

Clinton County High School graduation will also be held on the 27th of May.

Supt. McFall and the board also noted that two days were left in the Spring Break period in late March. This could mean they have those days to play on if any more days are missed between now and that time and may still prevent classes for students running into the month of June.

McFall noted that more days could be missed in the future for either inclement weather or illness and if that happens (more than two days), the board could still amend the calendar again at some point.

Board members Paula Key and Ned Davis both added that most parents they had talked to were opposed to extending the school year past Memorial Day.

The board also discussed the option for the extended minutes of each day, when it takes effect next month, to be used for students to have tutoring time, enrichment periods or study periods to catch up on work and to improve in areas where they are lacking, rather than simply adding five minutes to each class period.

The motion to approve the amended calendar was made by board member Junior Cecil, seconded by Kevin Marcum and passed by unanimous vote.