SCHOOL YEAR IN JACKSON TO LAST A WEEK LONGER

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Jackson school calendar will be extended one week to make up four snow days missed so far this winter, but the date and location of the high school graduation ceremony is still up in the air.

The Board of Education approved a faculty recommendation Tuesday to extend the school year through May 25 rather than attend school during scheduled holidays this spring. The last day of classes and graduation were originally scheduled to occur May 18.

"The suggestion was made to extend the calendar five days in case we have another snow day, but if something happens beyond that, we'll have to revisit this to see if they want to extend it beyond that date," said schools superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson.

A committee of faculty and administrators annually organize school calendars -- including planned holidays, professional development days for teachers and semester lengths -- more than one year in advance. Anderson said faculty preferred to extend the district's school calendar because many parents and staff schedule travel plans in advance that could be difficult or costly to cancel.

School board members were unsure what date would be most appropriate for commencement exercises, which could conflict with state track and field competitions and Memorial Day weekend activities. The school board will set a new graduation date during its next meeting Jan. 23.