Superintendent Recommends Forgoing Storm Makeup Day

With the 2008 hurricane season coming to a close on Nov. 30, Superintendent of Schools Wally Cox has recommended not making up the one day schools were closed due to Tropical Storm Fay.

Cox told the school board he planned to ask the state education commissioner if the district could "waive" the one day schools were closed on Aug. 19.

By state law, the commissioner can waive up to three days.

The school board will consider and vote on the recommendation at its Dec. 9 regular meeting.

If the board decides against seeking a waiver or if it is not granted by the commissioner, Cox recommends the day be made up on Jan. 5, which is the last day of the winter break.

"But, I think a lot of parents already made plans," he noted. The alternatives are not any better, such as taking a day out of spring break."

Rezoning Plans On Hold

Based on current data, Cox said the Sebring Middle and Hill-Gustat Middle school attendance zones should remain unchanged for the 2009-10 school year.

The attendance rezoning was considered as Sebring Middle School's enrollment grew during the past few years while a new classroom building is set to open in January at Hill-Gustat Middle School.

But, the latest data shows Sebring Middle School's enrollment went down while Hill-Gustat Middle School's enrollment increased without a rezoning, Cox noted.

The superintendent recommended waiting a year and then reconsidering if the school attendance boundaries needed to be adjusted.

"We would then see if that trend continues," he said. "If it does not continue, then we would look at that issue again early next fall."

Also, the School Board of Highlands County will hold a workshop to discuss and review budget issues at 4 p.m. today.

Cox recommended discussing a list of cost-saving ideas from school districts throughout the state, compiled by the Florida School Boards Association.

Also, the school board will hold its annual reorganization meeting, to appoint a school board chairman and vice-chairman at 6 p.m., today. The board will also set the calendar for its board meetings through Nov. 17, 2009.

The school board meets in the Garland Boggus Board Room in the George Douglass Administrative Building, 426