FRANKLIN
School divisions throughout Western Tidewater are re-evaluating their academic calendars this week in light of the three consecutive days all schools were closed last week due to snow and ice.

Franklin City Public Schools’ interim superintendent Kelvin Edwards met with the calendar committee Tuesday morning to discuss what, if any, changes to the academic calendar would be needed as a result of the snow days, but has not announced any changes as of yet.

According to Kelli Gillette, director of special programs and instructional services for Southampton County Public Schools, Jan. 26, and 27, which were originally scheduled to be 1 p.m. dismissal days, will now be full days of instruction for Southampton schools. Jan. 26 was originally to be a professional development day for teachers and Jan. 27 was to be a teacher work day.

Jan. 30 and 31, which had previously been scheduled as staff professional days, will also now be full days of instruction. Jan. 30 was to have been a professional development day for teachers and Jan. 31 was to be a teacher work day.

Feb. 1 will be a professional development day for staff, and students will not attend. Semester two classes will begin on Feb. 2.

President’s Day and Good Friday remain scheduled holidays, making March 9 a full day instead of 1 p.m. dismissal.

Lynn Briggs, director of gifted services and media relations for Isle of Wight County Schools is not presently aware of any changes to IWCS’ calendar as a result of the snow.

Virginia state law Section 22.1-98 mandates that all school divisions have at least 180 teaching days or 990 teaching hours per school year.